Loading…
- Dohnanyi, Ernst von
Duration: 22 minutes
Description: VARIATIONS ON A NURSERY SONG, Op. 25 is a work by Ernst von Dohnányi (1877-1960) for piano and orchestra, composed in 1913 and premiered in Berlin the same year with the composer himself as soloist. A set of variations on the “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” tune, it opens with a grandiose mock-serious introduction, and following a statement of the theme, proceeds through eleven imaginative variations that parody various musical styles, including Romantic bravura, pastoral lyricism, and even ragtime. While it enjoyed early popularity and was championed by pianists such as Dohnányi and later Leonard Pennario, it is less frequently performed today. It remains a delightful concert novelty, showcasing the composer’s good-natured sense of humor and artful orchestration. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.3+CBsn: 4.3.3.1: 2Timp.Perc(4): Hp.Clst: Str(9.8.7.6.5 in set): Solo Pno in set. Reprint edition.