Johannes Brahms
(1833-1897)
Joseph HaydnJddddgg
Variations on a Theme by Haydn
(1873)
Brahms pays homage to the great Classical Period master in this superb orchestral work that was originally composed for two pianos and then orchestrated later. The orchestral version is said to be the first independent set of variations for orchestra in the history of music. The first performance was given on November 2, 1873 by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra under Brahms’s baton. The original work by Haydn upon which Brahms based his Variations can be heard below as well. Variation 6 (Vivace) is heard to the right.
Joseph Haydn
Brahms based his Haydn Variations on this movement (“Choral St. Antoni”) of a wind serenade by Haydn. Here it is in its original form.