Variations on a Theme by Haydn Johannes Brahms / Arr. Jos van de Braak

Titel / Title: Variations on Theme by Haydn
Untertitel / Subtitle: Opus 56a
Herausgeber / Publisher: Baton Music
Instrumentation: concert band
Produkttyp / Product: Partitur + Stimmen
Serie / Series: Baton Music orchestral series

Johannes Brahms composed the 'Variations on a theme by Haydn' in the summer of 1873. The theme Brahms used was entitled 'Chorale St. Antoni' and attributed to the composer Joseph Haydn. But subsequent research has concluded that the wind piece Brahms used as a source does not fit Haydn's style. The situation has led to Brahms's piece being referred today as the 'St. Anthony Variations' as well as its original title.
The work was first written for two pianos and later scored for orchestra as well. This orchestral version is better known and much more often heard than the two-piano version. Dutch arranger Jos van de Braak transcribed the entire piece for a symphonic wind orchestra.