Variations for Orchestra, Op. 31 (1926–28) is an orchestral set of variations on a theme, composed by Arnold Schoenberg and is his first twelve-tone composition for a large ensemble. Premiered in December 1928 by the Berlin Philharmonic conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler, it was greeted by a tumultuous scandal.[1]
| Variations for Orchestra | |
|---|---|
| by Arnold Schoenberg | |
 Arnold Schoenberg in 1927 by Man Ray | |
| Native name | German: Variationen für Orchester |
| Other name | Orchestral Variations |
| Key | Atonal |
| Period | 20th-century music |
| Genre | Musical modernism |
| Style | Twelve-tone technique |
| Form | Variations |
| Composed | 1926 – 1928: Germany |
| Movements | 12 sections |
| Premiere | |
| Date | December 1928 |
| Location | Berlin |
| Conductor | Wilhelm Furtwängler |
| Performers | Berlin Philharmonic |
The theme of the piece is stated in measures 34–57.[2] The orchestration includes a flexatone.[3] The piece features the BACH motif (B♭–A–C–B♮).[4][5] The tone row in its four permutations (labeled Prime, Retrograde, Inversion, and Retrograde Inversion) are shown below.
Schoenberg opened a lecture on the composition with the following tyranny of the majority defense of less common aesthetics: "Far be it from me to question the rights of the majority. But one thing is certain: somewhere there is a limit to the power of the majority; it occurs, in fact, wherever the essential step is one that cannot be taken by all and sundry."[6]
The piece has been arranged for two pianos by Charles Wuorinen and this arrangement was set to a ballet, Schoenberg Variations (1996), by Richard Tanner of the New York City Ballet.[7]
Sections
- Introduction
- Theme
- Variation I: Moderato
- Variation II: Adagio
- Variation III: Mässig
- Variation IV: Walzer-tempo
- Variation V: Bewegt
- Variation VI: Andante
- Variation VII: Langsam
- Variation VIII: Sehr rasch
- Variation IX: L'istesso Tempo
- Finale