11 Variations on an original theme

Hi @Mikebat321,

The thema is nice featuring the dotted rhythm. That Do-Re-Mi schemata is going to be the backbone of the variation. Good thing is it's easy to form variation with it but bad thing is that it's not very distinctive and the relation of the variations with the thema can be lost. The first variation you go with the semiquaver version of it in the RH and retaining the dotted rhythm in the LH. In var.2, you have the semiquaver version in the LH and RH slightly more varied dotted version of the melody. Var.3 see G# minor in the 3rd bar of the variation.

Before the var.4 the key change is unnecessary! Now it turns to Allegro and 4/4 time with more invertible counterpoint. I love the motion here!

Var.5 goes back to the introspective version of the theme but in 4/4 time. In var.6 you change the opening dotted motive to an anapestic one and develop it in C major. Quite a fleeing variation with unexpected modulation and it's quite humorous!

In var.7 you take the opening motive as the lebewohl version or horn call version. The coming back of the E major as the dominant of A minor is quite beautiful, followed by a beautiful whole tone scale! The real modulation to E major is lovely but you still have to wait for the full come back, right?

The minore var.8 is forceful and marching. This can be really hard to play with those repeated 3rd in the RH. The transfigured ending in G major is nice! For var.9 you just take the Do-Re-Mi schemata of the opening for variation. The theme really makes easy variations isn't it?

The modulation in var.10 is beautiful! The move to Neapolitan Db major key is great. Here the length is well exceed the original theme. You are going for Rachmaninoff here with those thick chords and late romantic harmony.

I don't like the transition from var.10 to var.11. Like before it everything is so beautiful and you have a much more modern rhythm here and the transition for me is quite abrupt, like is just for the sake of variation. The variation itself is very brilliant though especially in the latter half. The modulation is again full of late romantic touch. I don't think the first and second half can be contained in one variation though. They should at least be split to two! They are so different!

What??!! It ends this abruptly? No I have to pay in order to know the ending of it. I feel like cheated. Then I will choose to go away without looking back or moving forward LoL.

Overall you utilize that do-re-mi schemata well to the extent that sometime the identity is lost, but the variations themselves are very stylish and beautiful. Thanks for sharing to us!

Henry

Many thanks for that Henry.

On the one hand I wish I could write such beautiful lyrical music and complex at the same time, and be able to play my own creations.
On the other hand maybe this is just not the style I have developed.

but enough with self-pity.

This is overall a very lovely and thoughtful piece.

I kinda want to disagree with Henry, I think var 11 is great. The problem is it being the last var. then you would need quite a bit of acrobatics to come back full circle.