Composition: Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56 (Brahms, Johannes)
| Title | Variations on a Theme by Haydn |
| Alternative title | Variationen über ein Thema von Haydn |
| Creators | Johannes Brahms (composer) |
| Opus | Op.56 |
| Instrumentation | orchestra |
| Number of movements | 10 |
| Keys | B flat major |
| Composed | 1873 |
| First published | 1873 |
| Dedication | — |
| Tempo markings | — |
| Metronome markings | — |
| Time signatures | — |
| Average duration (sec) | 1080 |
| Number of measures | — |
| Composition types | Variations |
| Period | Romantic |
| View on IMSLP |  |
| Code |  |
Sections
(No sections)
Arrangements
| Details | Section | Arranged for | Arranger |
|---|---|---|---|
| view | Complete | piano 4 hands | Robert Keller |
| view | Complete | piano | Ludwig Stark |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | string orchestra | Elaine Fine |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | 2 horns, 2 flugelhorns, 2 trumpets, 4 trombones and tuba | Michel Rondeau |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | horn, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones and tuba | Stefan Adams |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | 3 clarinets and bass clarinet | Alessandro Scandiffio |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | horn, trumpet and euphonium | Hans Jorgen Messerschmidt |
| view | Var.7 Allegretto grazioso "Siciliano" | piano | Harold Bauer |
Scores
| Details | Section | Type | Publisher | Date | File |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| view | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | — | N. Simrock | 1874 | Complete Score · view |
| view | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | — | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Complete Score (scan) · view Complete Score (Medium Quality) · view |
| view | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | — | Heugel | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | 2-piano setting, Op.56b | — | N. Simrock | 1873 | Complete Score · view Complete Score · view |
| view | 2-piano setting, Op.56b | — | Edition Peters | — | Complete Score · view |
| view | 2-piano setting, Op.56b | — | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Complete Score (scan) · view Complete Score (lower resolution) · view |
| view | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | parts | Breitkopf und Härtel | — | Flute 1, 2, Piccolo · view Oboe 1, 2 · view Clarinet 1, 2 (B) · view Bassoon 1, 2, Contrabassoon · view Horn 1, 2 (B), 3 (E, F), 4 (E) · view Trumpet 1, 2 (B) · view Timpani, Triangle · view Violins I, II · view Violas · view Cellos · view Basses · view |
| view | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | parts | — | — | Cello Excerpts (for auditions) · view |
| view | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | parts | — | — | Horn 1 (F) · view Horn 2 (F) · view |
| view | Complete | Arrangement for piano 4 hands |
N. Simrock | 1877 | Complete Score · view |
| view | Complete | Arrangement for piano |
N. Simrock | 1881 | Complete Score · view Complete Score · view |
| view | Complete | Arrangement for piano |
Schirmer | 1881 | Complete Score · view |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | Arrangement for string orchestra |
Elaine Fine | 2018 | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | Arrangement for 2 horns, 2 flugelhorns, 2 trumpets, 4 trombones and tuba |
Michel Rondeau | 2017 | Complete Score and Parts · view Engraving files (Finale & XML) · view |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | Arrangement for horn, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones and tuba |
— | — | Complete Score · view Trumpet 1 and 2 in B, Horn in F · view Trumpet 1 and 2 in C, Horn in F · view Trombone 1-3, Tuba · view |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | Arrangement for 3 clarinets and bass clarinet |
— | — | Complete Score and Parts · view |
| view | Theme. Andante (No.1) | Arrangement for horn, trumpet and euphonium |
Hans Jorgen Messerschmidt | 2017 | Complete Score · view Horn (F) · view Trumpet (B) · view Euphonium · view |
| view | Var.7 Allegretto grazioso "Siciliano" | Arrangement for piano |
Schirmer | 1939 | Complete Score · view |
Recordings/Performances
| Details | Type | Section | Ensemble | Performers | Arranged for | Files | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| view | Synthesized | — | University of Chicago Orchestra (orchestra) | Barbara Schubert (conductor) | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | Complete Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | — | London Symphony Orchestra (orchestra) | Antal Doráti (conductor) | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | Complete Recording · file | |
| view | Synthesized | — | Philharmonia Orchestra (orchestra) | Herbert von Karajan (conductor) | Orchestral setting, Op.56a | Complete Recording · file | |
| view | Synthesized | — | — | Neal O'Doan (piano) and Nancy O'Doan (piano) | 2 Piano setting, Op.56b | Theme, Variations 1-3 · file Variation 4 · file Variations 5-6 · file Variation 7 · file Variation 8, Finale · file |
|
| view | Synthesized | — | — | Christina and Michelle Naughton (piano) | 2 Piano setting, Op.56b | Complete Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | — | — | Michael Stenov (organ) | For Organ (Stenov) | Complete Recording · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Theme. Andante (No.1) | — | For 2 Horns, 2 Flugelhorns, 2 Trumpets, 4 Trombones and Tuba (Rondeau) | Virtual Performance · file | |
| view | Synthesized | Synthesized | Theme. Andante (No.1) | — | For Horn, 2 Trumpets, 3 Trombones and Tuba (Adams) | Synthesized Performance · file |
©2025 David P. Anderson