Introduction

This chapter presents Frederick Chopin’s variations and variation technique not only in variation forms but also throughout the composer’s oeuvre. Chopin composed just a few works in variation form. Multiple modified repetitions of musical units on different levels of a work are so typical of Chopin’s works that they may be considered one of the chief determinants of his style. Chopin’s predilection for continuously altering details of his works is widely known. Improvisation and the style brillant formed a starting point for Chopin’s compositional output. Chopin’s variation forms have also lacked a separate study, although almost every monograph devoted to his music includes more or less extensive comments on that group of works. Chopin’s variations are compared within genres and between genres, which makes it possible to show generic differences in this area. The object is to show the ways in which Chopin constructs variations, the links to traditional compositional praxes and the changes that gradually occur.