Passacaglia for orchestra (Webern)

The Passacaglia for orchestra, Opus 1, is the first published composition of twentieth century Austrian composer Anton Webern. It is based on the 17th century musical form, the passacaglia.

Ordinarily a dance in triple meter, Webern's Passacaglia is neither a dance nor in triple meter. Structurally, it is based on an eight-note tone row forming a bass line, with twenty-three variations grouped into three paragraphs.

It is in a late Romantic style, with echoes of Brahms' Symphony No. 4, in contrast to Webern's later work.

References

Philip Huscher, Passacaglia for Orchestra, Op. 1 (PDF), Chicago Symphony Orchestra

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