Henle Verlag Beethoven - Variations Eroica Op.35 - Piano

Summary of This Score

With the Eroica Variations op. 35, Ludwig van Beethoven offers much more than a simple virtuosity exercise: he opens a new path, that of the character variation, where each transformation of the theme becomes a true musical scene. Composed in 1802, this series of 15 variations culminates in a fugue, bringing contrapuntal density that highlights the architecture of the whole as well as the inventiveness of the discourse.

These variations are above all famous for their direct link to the "Eroica" universe: the theme used is also found in the Finale of the 3rd Symphony, which explains the lasting nickname of the work. Associated with opus 34, often presented as a "twin" work, op. 35 marks an important milestone that Beethoven himself claimed, emphasizing to his publisher that these pages were "conceived in a completely new way."

This publication emphasizes the reliability of the text: it is an Urtext edition accompanied by a detailed preface and commentary, all established based on the later critical commentary of the Complete Edition of Beethoven's works. The fingerings proposed by Ian Fountain provide valuable support for working on transitions, voice distribution, and clarity of phrasing, while respecting Beethoven's stylistic demands. Finally, note: this is announced as the first time the Eroica Variations are available in the form of a separate score, an interesting point for pianists and teachers looking for dedicated material for this work.

Technical specifications

Musical Genre

Classical

Publication

Sheet music

Composer

Ludwig van Beethoven

Edition

Felix Loy