Unsung Orchestral Variations (with or without closing Fugue!)

[eschiss1]

though I'd disagree here and there with those descriptions (e.g. I'm not sure quite how tonal some works by Myaskovsky are- quite a few works of his from the late 1920s/early 1930s- or some of Shostakovich's around the time of the 12th and especially 13th quartets (relatively speaking)- but some of that might be a matter of detail, depending...)

[Alan Howe]

Agreed, Eric, but we're talking broad generalities here.

[Dave]

Glazunov's Theme and Variations for String Orchestra is very good.
I would also love to mention Estonian composer Artur Kapp's Symphony no. 1 (with a wonderful variation last movement).
And lastly, Myaskovsky's Theme et Variations (string orchestra version).

[TerraEpon]

Glazunov's piece is supposedly originally for string quartet, however. and making a quick check of the score shows the double bass part pretty similar to the cello part. Fow whatever that's worth.

[eschiss1]

fairly sure that's true of the Myaskovsky piece which I think is originally from his Op.33 No.3 (D minor quartet, 2nd movement, the variations on a Grieg theme used to tweak Liadov should Myaskovsky's professor happen to recognize the theme (Liadov didn't much care for Grieg's music at all) - I am under the impression that however he did not...)

[eschiss1]

Clarification - by "orchestral" we're referring to just works for orchestra, no solo, nothing concertante? If not I'm happy to nominate the variations movement from Serge Taneyev's suite de concert, a fine and enjoyable movement of a quite good piece (I have Oistrakh's live recording, mistracked though the particular version - well, anyway.)

[chill319]

...does anyone know of any pre-20th-century examples of Variations-and (leading up to)-a-Theme (pre-Vaughan-Williams, pre-Britten)...

The work that brought my attention to this inversion of the classical paradigm was d'Indy's Istar Variations (1896).

[adriano]

Don't forget Respighi's early "Variazioni sinfoniche" and Emile Jaques-Dalcroze absolutely charming "Variations on a Swiss song". Both no masterworks but abolutely concert-hall-worthy.
By Jaques-Dalcroze I will record one more CD in about a year or so, including a magnificent vocal cycle for sorprano and orchestra, of which I am presently editing the score.
Adriano, Zurich

[Alan Howe]

By Jaques-Dalcroze I will record one more CD in about a year or so, including a magnificent vocal cycle for soprano and orchestra, of which I am presently editing the score.
Adriano, Zurich

Sounds interesting. Can you tell us any more about the proposed contents of the CD?

[eschiss1]

Also interested. By him I've heard only the odd op.61 serenade for string quartet (and have seen the violin concertos in reduced score - I seem to recall they've been recorded) - intrigued by the announcement of the new CD...

[adriano]

It's a vocal cycle entitled "Tragédie d'amour". The work will be coupled with an orchestral suite entitled "La Veillée" and the Overture to his opera "Sancho"

[Alan Howe]

Marvellous. One for the wants list!

[mahesi]

I'm looking through my archive and found first:

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Symphonic Variations on an African Air op.63

Perhaps, I will find some more...

[mahesi]

Edward Joseph Collins (1886-1951): Variations on an Irish Tune (1932)
Ernest Farrar (1885-1918): Variations op.25 (bur for piano and Orchestra)
Herrmann von Glenck (Switzerland, 1883-1952): Variationen-Suite (1918, second Version 1930)
Paul Graener (1872-1944): Variationen über ein rusisches Volkslied
Edvard Grieg (of course no unsung Composer): Altnorwegische Romanze mit Variationen op.51
Robert Heger (The German conductor, 1886-1978): Verdi-Variationen op.23
Already mentioned in this forum:
William Hurlstone (1876-1906): Variations on an original theme (1896), Variations on a Hungarian Air (1897), Fantasy Variations on a Swedish Air (1903)


Not all of this compositions are perfectly romantic. Judge yourself. All are or at least were available ond CD

To be continued...

[mahesi]

Julius Röntgen (1855-1932): Variationen über eine norwegische Volksmelodie
Franz Schmidt (perhaps no unsung Composer): Variationen über ein Husarenlied (1931), Konzertante Variationen über ein Thema von Beethoven (1923, for piano and orchestra)
Schostakowitsch: Theme and Variations op.3 (One of his earliest compositions. Date of composition given as 1915(!) - 1922)
Arthur Somervell (1863-1937): Normandy - Symphonic Variations (but for piano and Orchestra)
Maximilian Steinberg (1883-1946): Variations for orchestra op.2
George Szell (the famous conductor): Variations on an original theme op.4

End of the list...

As I mentioned before:

- Not all compositions are truely romantic
- All are or were available on CD

Martin