The Study of Johannes Brahms'' Variations on a Theme by Haydn, op. 56b

• Main Authors: Mei-ju Chen, 陳眉如
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/28199452425435011922

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 音樂學系研究所 === 94 === The European arts in the nineteenth century went through significant changes with the advent of romanticism. In respect to music, more and more composers at that time set out to express their emotions through the beauty of sounds and rhythms, imbuing their works with multiple elements and alterations. However, the overemphasis on the subjective experience of the composers led to the gradual loss of simplicity and purity in their music. At that time, Brahms abondoned the artistic trend of the epoch and refused its pompous and exaggerated style. Devotedly following Bach, Beethoven and Schuman in their aesthetic perspectives and musical creations, Brahms composed absolute, introspective, sincere and in-depth works in the classical form. Variations on a Theme by Haydn, op. 56 composed by Brahms in 1873, was the representative piece marking his shift from large piano works to orchestra works, exhibiting the master’s habitual use of composition skills and mature variation techniques. The two pianos version (op. 56b), as Brahms’ most important work of its kind, illustrated how he took advantage of the strength of two pianos to arrange multiple voices with expertise. This piano piece pushed the artistic value of Brahms’ two pianos works to its peak in the musical history and launched their golden age. Chapter One of this thesis gives the definition of variations, introduces its types and discusses the historical specificity of the variations of the nineteenth century. Chapter Two introduces the life of Brahms and his variations. Chapter Three probes into the composing skills, variation techniques and features illustrated in Brahms’ Variations on a Theme by Haydn, op56b. Chapter Four examines the history of two pianos and gives suggestions on the performing of two pianos works.