Alright…So this set of songs was just way too long!Basically, Mozart figured out just about every figural variation known to man for “Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman” aka “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”. As the song set progresses, the variations get more complicated and yes, more varied! This can be clearly seen by observing the differences between variations 1 and 2 and variation twelve. Whereas variation number 1 has a very simple left hand, which switches to the right hand in variation 2, number twelve has complicated 16th note patterns in each hand . So, variation twelve can be seen as a composite of Var. 1 and 2. Twelve brings the set to an appropriate close by coming back full circle with the sixteenth note motive of 1,2. There were some variations that shared the same techniques and variation themes like parts of VII (m.187-192) and v.X (m.241-264). These two variations share the same right hand rhythmic motive. This set works much like a song cycle, the variations telling different parts of the same “story”. Some are major, some minor :( all leading up to the big climax and finish. In some places it seems to lose momentum. I felt that variation nine, for example, was completely superfluous. It just didn’t seem to be leading anywhere, and it slowed down the progression and flow of the set.
I’m not even going to begin to discuss how I would perform this, since I have the paino skills of a two year old. I think the person on the CD did just fine…

Have a Great Spring Break everyone!