Symphonic Variations (Franck)

Second phrase, mm.5-9, the first at tempo lento, from Cesar Franck's Variations symphoniques (1885), features chromaticism from use of borrowed chords and, "descending bass lines," (voice leading) and demonstrates that, "chromatic evasiveness internally in the phrases [may be] countered by cadence strength and clarity," such as the, "resolute movement from V of V to V to I."[1] Playⓘ

The Symphonic Variations (Variations symphoniques), M. 46, is a work for piano and orchestra written in 1885 by César Franck. It has been described as "one of Franck's tightest and most finished works",[2] "a superb blending of piano and orchestra",[3] and "a flawless work and as near perfection as a human composer can hope to get in a work of this nature".[4] It is a fine example of Franck's use of cyclic unity, with one theme growing into various others.[5] The piano and orchestra share equally in the development of ideas.[4] The work is in F♯ minor (with the last movement in F♯ major). Duration in performance is about fifteen minutes, and the instrumentation is piano solo and orchestra: pairs of flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons; four horns; two trumpets; timpani; and strings.[6]

  1. ^ Cooper, Paul (1975). Perspectives in Music Theory, p.216. New York: Dodd, Mead, and Company. ISBN 0-396-06752-2. Original with Roman numeral analysis only.
  2. ^ "Classical Net Review – Brahms/Franck/Litolff – Piano Concerto #1/Symphonic Variations/Concerto symphonique #4". Classical Net.
  3. ^ "Baltimore Symphony Orchestra program notes (Page 24)". texterity.com. Archived from the original on 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2019-09-14.
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference fleur was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Mordden, Ethan (1980). A Guide to Orchestral Music : The Handbook for Non-Musicians. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 201. ISBN 978-0-19-802030-1.
  6. ^ "French Music for Piano and Orchestra". www.naxos.com.