Classical Music | Cello Music

Ludwig van Beethoven

Theme and Seven Variations on "Bei Mannern" from Mozart's The Magic Flute, WoO 46  Play

Dariusz Skoraczewski Cello
Inna Faliks Piano

Recorded on 10/16/2007, uploaded on 01/21/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

Theme and Seven Variations on "Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen"

In 1796, Beethoven composed the Twelve Variations on a theme from Handel for cello and piano, and Twelve Variations on a theme from Mozart's The Magic Flute.  A final set, composed in 1801, offered seven variations on the duet of Pamina and Papageno from The Magic Flute.  This set is clearly a duet between the two instruments, with the shift of melodic material between them creating contrasts and a subtle give-and-take.  While Beethoven often used the variation form to display technical brilliance, this set is a more lyrical expression of the genre.

D. Skoraczewski