Composer

:

Ludwig van Beethoven

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Variations

Compose Date

:

1803

Average_duration

:

4:53

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Ludwig van Beethoven composed the 'Variations (5) on Rule Britannia, WoO 79' in 1802. The piece was premiered in Vienna in the same year. The work consists of five variations on the popular British patriotic song 'Rule Britannia', which was written by James Thomson and set to music by Thomas Arne in 1740. The first variation is a simple and elegant statement of the theme, with the melody played in the right hand and a simple accompaniment in the left. The second variation is more complex, with the melody played in the left hand and a more elaborate accompaniment in the right. The third variation is a lively and playful scherzo, with the melody played in the right hand and a fast, rhythmic accompaniment in the left. The fourth variation is a slow and melancholy adagio, with the melody played in the right hand and a simple, chordal accompaniment in the left. This variation is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which create a sense of tension and unease. The final variation is a fast and virtuosic finale, with the melody played in the right hand and a complex, fast-moving accompaniment in the left. Overall, the 'Variations (5) on Rule Britannia, WoO 79' is a charming and inventive work that showcases Beethoven's skill as a composer and pianist. The variations are varied in character and mood, and the piece as a whole is a testament to Beethoven's ability to take a simple melody and transform it into a complex and engaging work of art.

More....