Variations on a Theme of Chopin (Rachmaninoff)

Variations on a Theme of Chopin (Russian: Вариации на тему Ф. Шопена, Variatsii na temu F. Shopena), Op. 22, is a group of 22 variations on Frédéric Chopin's Prelude in C minor (Op. 28, No. 20), composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1902–03. In the first edition, it is noted that 3 of the variations and the final Presto section can be omitted if the performer wishes.

Chopin's Prelude No. 20 in C minor. Rachmaninoff uses only the first 8 bars plus end-chord, and changes the E in the last chord of bar 3 to E.

Variations

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The form of the piece is:

Theme: Largo, 9 bars
Variation Tempo marking Key Description Score
I Moderato (66 bpm) C minor 8 bars
 
II Allegro (132 bpm) C minor 8 bars
 
III 132 bpm C minor 8 bars
 
IV 132 bpm C minor 24 bars of 3
4
 
V Meno mosso (92 bpm) C minor 8 bars
 
VI Meno mosso (84 bpm) C minor 8 bars 12 bars of 6
4
 
VII Allegro (120 bpm) C minor 8 bars

*This variation may be omitted

 
VIII 120 bpm C minor 8 bars
 
IX 120 bpm C minor 8 bars
 
X Più vivo (144 bpm) C minor 14 bars

*This variation may be omitted

 
XI Lento (44 bpm) E♭ major 14 bars of 12
8
 
XII Moderato (60 bpm) C minor 32 bars

*This variation may be omitted

 
XIII Largo (52 bpm) C minor 16 bars
 
XIV Moderato (72 bpm) C minor 24 bars of 4
4
then one bar of 2
4
 
XV Allegro scherzando (132 bpm) F minor 45 bars of 12
8
in F minor
 
XVI Lento (54 bpm) F minor 14 bars in F minor
 
XVII Grave (46 bpm) B minor 18 bars of 3
4
in B minor
 
XVIII Più mosso B minor 12 bars in B minor
 
XIX Allegro vivace A major 35 bars in A major
 
XX Presto (92 bpm) C minor 108 bars of 3
4
in A major and C minor
 
XXI Andante (60 bpm) - Più vivo (100 bpm) D major C major 24 bars in D major followed by 29 bars of 3
4
in C major marked Più vivo (100 bpm)
 
XXII Maestoso (100 bpm) C major 82 bars of 3
4
in C major. Then 12 bars marked Meno mosso. Finally, 19 bars marked Presto (These final 19 bars may be omitted)
 

See also

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References

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Notes
Sources
  • Anderson, Keith (1999). Rachmaninov: Variations on a Theme of Chopin/Preludes (CD). Naxos Records. 8.554426.
  • Kim, Ji Hyun (2018). A Study of Rachmaninoff's Variations on a theme by Chopin, Op. 22 (PDF) (D.M.). Indiana University.
  • Matthew-Walker, Robert (1993). Rachmaninov: The Complete Solo Piano Music (PDF) (CD). Hyperion Records. CDS44041/8.
  • Norris, Geoffrey. "Rachmaninoff's Variations". The Bells. 2: 28–36.
  • Rachmanov, Dimitry (2007). "Rachmaninoff: Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42" (PDF). Pianist.
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