We will discuss variation technique on Tuesday, using the third movement of W.A. Mozart's Piano sonata, K. 284 as our example.
Each student will analyze two variations, comparing them to the theme (obviously, you'll have to analyze the theme too) and possibly to each other. Each little analysis will take the form of a paragraph (minimum 200 words) about the variation. Start each paragraph with a sentence characterizing the variation, and use the rest of the paragraph to support your characterization, citing specific musical elements. I would also suggest that you clarify your analysis with some annotated musical examples (you may write on the score and photograph it, or annotate a photograph with software).
For something to be considered a variation, it must be both similar to and different from the thing it's a variation of. Address these similarities and differences in your paragraph.
Consider various musical elements as you work on your analyses. Harmony is a starting point, but what about melody, rhythm, texture, motivic transformation, timbre, dynamics, tempo, register, etc.?
Examples of overall characterizations and possible associated musical elements:
Melancholy - this might be minor, slow, and with multiple suspensions
Insistent - this might be fast with constant sixteenth notes and no rests
Academic - if the two hands were constantly imitating each other throughout the variation
Make a separate blog post for each analysis paragraph. Title your post: include the number of the variation, but incorporate that into a title phrase or sentence. Submit these by noon on Tuesday.
Assigned variations:
I - Morgan, Zach
II - Elizabeth, Jasmyn
III - Mary, Glory
IV - Glory, Christian
V - Jasmyn, Elizabeth
VI - Hayden, Owen
VII - Christian, Hayden
VIII - Zach, Mary
IX - Owen, Morgan
Be prepared to discuss your analysis in class. Hopefully, we will also have time to discuss the other three variations together:
Var. X
Var. XI
Var. XII
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