Variations (Stravinsky)
Encyclopedia
Variations: Aldous Huxley in memoriam is Igor Stravinsky
's last orchestral composition, written in 1963–64.
conducted by Robert Craft
(Spies 1965, 62; White 1979, 534). The score is dedicated to the memory of Stravinsky's close friend Aldous Huxley
, who died on 22 November 1963, when composition of the Variations was in progress (White 1979, 536–37).
Although not composed for the purpose, Stravinsky's music was twice choreographed for the New York City Ballet
by George Balanchine
, a first version
in 1966, and a second version
in 1982, both times under the title "Variations" (Barnes 1966; Anderson 1982).
(Spies 1965, 66; Kohl 1979–80, 392; Phillips 1984, 69; Straus 2001, 201):
D C A B E A G C D G F F
Opinions about the form differ. According to one view, the work consists of twelve variations: bars 1–22, 23–33, 33–39, 40–46, 47–58, 59–72, 73–85, 86–94, 95–100, 101–17, 118–29, and 130–41 (Spies 1965, 62–63). According to another, bars 23–39 consist of a single variation, so there are only eleven in all, ranging from 6 to 22 bars in length, some of which are subdivided into two or three component sections (Phillips 1984, 70). According to yet another, a prelude and postlude frame three main sections, the first two separated by a short episode, and the second and third by a more extended section divided into five episodes (White 1979, 536). There is no "theme" on whose melodic, rhythmic, or formal characteristics the variations are constructed, nor are there any conventional compositional variation techniques (Spies 1965, 62).
The central feature of the Variations is a duodecet, or twelve-part invention, which is divided into three parts, separated by contrasting episodes and each with a different scoring: twelve solo violins, ten solo violas with two double basses, and twelve winds (two fultes, alto flute, the oboes, cor anglais, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, and horn). Metrically, this invention uses a regularly recurring succession of 4/8 + 3/8 + 5/8 bars, with each of the three large sections containing four of these three-bar units (White 1979, 535).
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
's last orchestral composition, written in 1963–64.
History
Stravinsky began work on the Variations in Santa Fé, New Mexico in July 1963, and completed the composition in Hollywood, California on 28 October 1964. It was first performed in Chicago on 17 April 1965, by the Chicago Symphony OrchestraChicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Chicago, Illinois. It is one of the five American orchestras commonly referred to as the "Big Five". Founded in 1891, the Symphony makes its home at Orchestra Hall in Chicago and plays a summer season at the Ravinia Festival...
conducted by Robert Craft
Robert Craft
Robert Lawson Craft is an American conductor and writer. He is best known for his intimate working friendship with Igor Stravinsky, a relationship which resulted in a number of recordings and books.-Life:...
(Spies 1965, 62; White 1979, 534). The score is dedicated to the memory of Stravinsky's close friend Aldous Huxley
Aldous Huxley
Aldous Leonard Huxley was an English writer and one of the most prominent members of the famous Huxley family. Best known for his novels including Brave New World and a wide-ranging output of essays, Huxley also edited the magazine Oxford Poetry, and published short stories, poetry, travel...
, who died on 22 November 1963, when composition of the Variations was in progress (White 1979, 536–37).
Although not composed for the purpose, Stravinsky's music was twice choreographed for the New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
by George Balanchine
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
, a first version
Variations (ballet)
Variations is a ballet made by New York City Ballet co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine to Stravinsky's Variations: Aldous Huxley in memoriam...
in 1966, and a second version
Variations for Orchestra
Variations for Orchestra is the last ballet made by New York City Ballet co-founder and founding choreographer George Balanchine to Igor Stravinsky's Variations: Aldous Huxley in memoriam . The premiere took place on Friday, July 2, 1982, at the New York State Theater, Lincoln Center.- Reviews :*],...
in 1982, both times under the title "Variations" (Barnes 1966; Anderson 1982).
Analysis
The Variations are based on a twelve-note rowTwelve-tone technique
Twelve-tone technique is a method of musical composition devised by Arnold Schoenberg...
(Spies 1965, 66; Kohl 1979–80, 392; Phillips 1984, 69; Straus 2001, 201):
Opinions about the form differ. According to one view, the work consists of twelve variations: bars 1–22, 23–33, 33–39, 40–46, 47–58, 59–72, 73–85, 86–94, 95–100, 101–17, 118–29, and 130–41 (Spies 1965, 62–63). According to another, bars 23–39 consist of a single variation, so there are only eleven in all, ranging from 6 to 22 bars in length, some of which are subdivided into two or three component sections (Phillips 1984, 70). According to yet another, a prelude and postlude frame three main sections, the first two separated by a short episode, and the second and third by a more extended section divided into five episodes (White 1979, 536). There is no "theme" on whose melodic, rhythmic, or formal characteristics the variations are constructed, nor are there any conventional compositional variation techniques (Spies 1965, 62).
The central feature of the Variations is a duodecet, or twelve-part invention, which is divided into three parts, separated by contrasting episodes and each with a different scoring: twelve solo violins, ten solo violas with two double basses, and twelve winds (two fultes, alto flute, the oboes, cor anglais, two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, and horn). Metrically, this invention uses a regularly recurring succession of 4/8 + 3/8 + 5/8 bars, with each of the three large sections containing four of these three-bar units (White 1979, 535).
Instrumentation
- 2 flutes
- alto flute
- 2 oboes
- cor anglais
- 2 clarinets
- bass clarinet
- 2 bassoons
- 4 horns
- 3 trumpets
- 2 tenor trombones
- bass trombone
- harp
- piano
- 12 violins
- 10 violas
- 8 cellos
- 4 double basses