theme and variations

Definitions of musical theme. (music) melodic subject of a musical composition. synonyms: idea, melodic theme, theme.

Favorite Theme and Variations

• Bach: Chaconne in D Minor .
• Schubert, Wanderer Fantasy.
• Schubert, Death and the Maiden Quartet, second movement.
• Mendelssohn, Variations sérieuses.
• Mozart, Clarinet quintet, fourth movement.
• Beethoven, Kreutzer sonata, second movement.
• Mozart, Piano Concerto 24, third movement.

Music. to repeat (a theme or idea) with changes in harmony, rhythm, key, etc. verb intransitive.

Theme and variations. form occurs when a melody is altered, decorated, or adorned in some way by changing pitch, rhythm, harmony, or even mode (major or minor).

Musical themes can make an audience feel as though they're in the past, or far in the future. Music can convey feelings, even the deepest and most difficult to explain emotions can be understood by an audience in less than a minute with the proper musical theme.

Defining a Theme The theme in a story is its underlying message, or 'big idea. ' In other words, what critical belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel, play, short story or poem?

Techniques for Composing Variations

1. Repeat the accompaniment, compose a new melody. Repeat the accompaniment from your theme or from another variation with small additions/changes.
2. Repeat the melody, compose a new accompaniment.
3. Invert the melody and accompaniment.

Once the theme has been played the composer then repeats it, but varies it in some way. This is called Variation 1. Once Variation 1 has been played, the composer repeats the theme again, this time varying it in a different way, thus producing Variation 2.

variation. / (ˌvɛərɪˈeɪʃən) / noun. the act, process, condition, or result of changing or varying; diversity. an instance of varying or the amount, rate, or degree of such change.

A melody can be used in many ways, but the most obvious one is the technique called 'variation'. The melody is often kept the same, but extra, quicker notes, are added in between the original melody notes.

The theme can be as short as 8 bars in length or can be much longer. It usually consists of a memorable melody with an accompaniment of some sorts. Once the theme has been played the composer then repeats it, but varies it in some way.

Themes can be a powerful tool in a film. A successful score can magnify emotions, cue a sense of suspense, make the audience feel a profound connection to characters, and want to delve deeper into the world on screen.