Editor: Jens Dufner
Fingering: Ian Fountain
Fing. vc: David Geringas

Variations on a well-liked theme, mainly from contemporary operas, were extremely popular at the end of the 18th century. Even the young Beethoven made several contributions to this genre. We do not know of any concrete occasion for the composition of the three cycles of Variations for Violoncello and Piano – they are on two themes from Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” and one from Handel’s oratorio “Judas Maccabaeus”. The number of reproductions at that time does, however, reveal that they were very popular right from the beginning.

12 Variations on a theme from Händel's Oratorio "Judas Maccabäus" G major WoO 45
12 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen" from Mozart's "Zauberflöte" F major op. 66
7 Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen" from Mozart's "Zauberflöte" E flat major WoO 46
ABRSM: DipABRSM