Progetto Martha Argerich

italiano

Works

Karol Szymanowski

Variations on a Polish Theme, Op. 10

 

Karol Szymanowski composed the Variations on a Polish Theme, Op. 10, between 1900 and 1904; in many respects, the work prefigures his interest in his native country’s folklore, which would become more explicit immediately following the First World War. The composition’s structure is very simple. It opens with a brief Introduction (Andante doloroso rubato), which is followed by the theme (Andantino) – taken from a collection of folksongs from the Zakopane and Podhale region – and ten variations. Although the theme is decidedly Chopin-like, the ten variations, which follow one another without a break – clearly demonstrate Szymanowski’s indebtedness to other great nineteenth-century Romantic composers as well: Schumann (Variation No. 2, Agitato), Chopin again (Variation No. 4, Allegro molto agitato), Brahms (Variation No. 6, Andante dolcissimo) and Liszt (Variation No. 9, Più mosso). The last variation (Finale: Allegro vivo – Maestoso) is of particular interest and functions as a sort of extended, triumphal coda.

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