DESCRIPTION:
Jeffrey Wagner, Piano

This is an atonal serial composition. The tone row is:

F# - C# - D - G# - B - D# - E - F- C - A - Bb - G

While Henze entitles it, "Variations", he does not designate anywhere a Theme, customary with Variation works. I assume that the theme, in a sense, is the tone tow itself. The piece, consisting of 9 variations on the row, ends on two massive chords in the right and left hand, spelling an Eb Minor triad. This is interesting, although the occurrence of a major or minor triad does not necessarily suggest tonality in the sound world of serial music.

Recorded in the Jim Fellows Center for Creative Media, Park Ridge, Illinois USA.