Theme and variation is a musical form where a main melody, or theme, is presented and then variations of that theme are played by altering different musical elements. The document discusses Haydn's Symphony No. 94, also known as the "Surprise Symphony", where the theme is presented and then varied through changes in dynamics, shifting between major and minor keys, adjustments to rhythm, pitch, tempo and other techniques. The class is encouraged to create their own variations on the theme "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to experience theme and variation composition.

1. Rachel McLean
THEME & VARIATION

2. • Specific kind of a form in music (organization)
• Theme – the main melody
• After the melody/theme is followed by variations of the same melody
using musical elements
• Symphony No. 94 - 2nd symphony in “The London Symphonies” by Haydn
a.k.a. “Surprise Symphony”
THEME & VARIATION

3. Listen and keep in mind these musical elements that may create the variation
on the theme:
• Dynamics
• Minor or Major
• Rhythm
• Pitch
• Tempo
SYMPHONY NO. 94 “SURPRISE
SYMPHONY”

4. Using the 2 bars below as our theme we will begin to look at Haydn’s
variations on his melody
SYMPHONY NO. 94 “SURPRISE
SYMPHONY”

5. Dynamics
SYMPHONY NO. 94 “SURPRISE
SYMPHONY”

6. Minor (already Major)
SYMPHONY NO. 94 “SURPRISE
SYMPHONY”

7. Rhythms
SYMPHONY NO. 94 “SURPRISE
SYMPHONY”
And much, much
more….

8. Pitch
SYMPHONY NO. 94 “SURPRISE
SYMPHONY”
Same
theme
diff.
key
Same key Sig.
moved
everything up
(D minor)

9. Let’s create variations on “Ah Vous Dirai-je, Maman” By Mozart
a.k.a “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
LET’S TRY TOGETHER