Composer

:

Viktor Ullmann

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fugue

Compose Date

:

1934

Average_duration

:

11:57

Viktor Ullmann's 'Variations & Double Fugue on a Theme of Arnold Schönberg, Op. 3a' was composed in 1933, and premiered in Vienna the same year. The piece consists of a theme and ten variations, followed by a double fugue. The theme is taken from Arnold Schönberg's 'Op. 19, No. 6', and Ullmann's variations explore the theme's harmonic and rhythmic possibilities. The first variation is a lively and playful take on the theme, with syncopated rhythms and unexpected harmonies. The second variation is more introspective, with a slower tempo and a focus on the theme's melodic contours. The third variation is a scherzo-like section, with rapid-fire arpeggios and a sense of frenetic energy. The fourth variation is a lyrical and expressive section, with a focus on the theme's harmonic possibilities. The fifth variation is a brief interlude, with a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The sixth variation is a virtuosic display of technical skill, with rapid runs and intricate figurations. The seventh variation is a more subdued section, with a focus on the theme's rhythmic possibilities. The eighth variation is a playful and whimsical section, with a sense of humor and lightness. The ninth variation is a more introspective section, with a slower tempo and a focus on the theme's melodic contours. The final variation is a grand and majestic section, with a sense of triumph and resolution. This leads into the double fugue, which combines the theme with a new counter-subject. The fugue is a complex and intricate section, with multiple voices weaving in and out of each other. Overall, Ullmann's 'Variations & Double Fugue on a Theme of Arnold Schönberg, Op. 3a' is a masterful exploration of the possibilities of a single theme. Ullmann's variations showcase his technical skill and musical imagination, while the double fugue demonstrates his ability to weave multiple voices into a complex and cohesive whole.

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