William Kraft (1923-2022)

Nationality: American

Born: September 6, 1923, Chicago Died: February 12, 2022 (age 98)

wikipedia

Theme and Variations

(for 4 percussionists)

Duration: 8 minutes (approximately)

Composed: 1956 (age 32-33)

1 recording, 1 videos

8:17

Pacific Percussion Ensemble

chamber music, Kammermusik [G], musique de chambre [F], musica da camera [I], musica cameralis [L]—"Classical Music" for a small ensemble, generally 8 or fewer players with a canonical emphasis on 3-6 players. explore
quartet, quatuor [F], quartett [G], quartetto [I], cuarteto [S]—ensemble or work for four players the most important examples being the string quartet and the piano quartet
tema con variazioni, con variazioni, Tema e variazioni, theme and variations, Thema mit Variationen [G], Thème varié [F]—a common movement form featuring an initial theme followed by a series of variations on that theme, each of which adjusts any number of parameters to achieve variety, e.g. tempo, rhythm, key, instrumentation, etc.A challenge to the composers ingenuity and a delight for the listener
theme, tema [I], Thema [G]—a complete and recognizable musical entity (e.g. melody) used as the basis for elaboration (e.g. variations, sontata, fugue, etc.). Also called a subject. Motif (motive) is generally a smaller fragmentary entity.
variation, variazione, variatio, variato, variata—a modified re-iteration of a previous theme, reprise, couplet, etc. The music is varied, embellished or creatively transformed for variety while maintaining a unity relationship with the original. See "Theme and Variations."