Description
The 15 Variations and Fugue on an Original Theme op. 35 are commonly known as the “Eroica Variations”. This is due to the theme, which was originally composed for the music to “The Creatures of Prometheus” (op. 43), appeared shortly thereafter in a contredanse, and only later in the finale of the Third Symphony, the so-called “Eroica”. Beethoven’s autograph manuscript, which served as the engraver’s copy for the original 1803 edition of opus 35, invites us on a journey of discovery through this extraordinary cosmos of variations. Noteworthy is already the first page of the manuscript, which displays a lengthy commentary by Beethoven on the novelty of this work. Beethoven’s characteristic, expansive musical handwriting is inherently very clear and precise but is repeatedly interrupted by vehement crossings-out and corrections which allow the work on the composition to become apparent. In a comprehensive preface, Beethoven expert Julia Ronge explores the history of the work and the particularities of the manuscript. This high-quality facsimile, produced using four-colour printing, thus affords a fascinating glimpse into Beethoven’s compositional workshop!
