Six Variations in F Major

Variations in a historical piano version

The F-major variations K. 54/547b are presented here in the historical Peters piano version. The relationship to the violin-sonata material is important: the NMA editors question the solo arrangement’s authorship and identify later interventions. It should not be described as an entirely surviving Mozart solo autograph. For the player, the theme and its six variations still offer a practical study in retaining a musical outline through changing keyboard detail.

At the keyboard

Play the theme as a complete phrase before isolating a variation. Listen for its points of arrival beneath the new texture, and decide what needs to remain audible. Work on a short connection between two figures, then put it back into the longer line. Compare the musical result across variations without assuming that more notes require more force.

Music in this edition

1. Six Variations in F Major