Eight Variations on Ein Weib ist das herrlichste Ding

Let the unaccompanied opening speak

The theme of these eight variations comes from Der dumme Gärtner, associated with Benedikt Schack and Franz Xaver Gerl. In the opening bars, the right hand has room to establish its character before the bass joins it. Short detached figures, slurs and the later supporting voices give the phrase several kinds of movement. The first task is to hear those differences without breaking the three-beat flow.

Notice what the bass entrance changes

Try the opening melody alone, keeping its rests and releases clear. When the left hand enters, let it add direction without suddenly making the texture heavy. Compare a phrase before and after that entrance, then carry the same listening into a variation. This gives the cycle a sense of changing relationships between voices, as well as a succession of different keyboard patterns.

Music in this edition

1. Eight Variations on Ein Weib ist das herrlichste Ding