Joseph Haydn

Variations in A major, Hob. XVII:2

before 1771

These variations exist in multiple versions. Haydn’s original version is probably a set of twenty variations in A major. The only complete copy of this version is lost, so, whilst the variations can all be found across other copies, their intended order cannot be determined with certainty.

In addition, there are two further versions presumably not from Haydn himself. One contains the same twenty variations transposed to G major and in a different order. The other, which was published by Artaria in 1788, has twelve variations in A major. These comprise eleven out of the original twenty variations, again in a different order, and a new variation (the tenth) that is possibly spurious.

Recommended editions

Gesamtausgabe (Henle) · XIX/XX · HN 5502 · Klavierstücke für Klavier zu zwei Händen / Werke für Klavier zu vier Händen · ed. Sonja Gerlach [version in A major with twenty variations, and the additional (tenth) variation from the version in A major with twelve variations]
Gesamtausgabe (Henle) · XIX/XX · HN 5501 · Klavierstücke für Klavier zu zwei Händen / Werke für Klavier zu vier Händen · ed. Sonja Gerlach [version in A major with twenty variations, and the additional (tenth) variation from the version in A major with twelve variations]
Henle · HN 224 · Klavierstücke / Klaviervariationen · ed. Sonja Gerlach [version in A major with twenty variations, and the additional (tenth) variation from the version in A major with twelve variations]
Henle · HN 225 · Klavierstücke / Klaviervariationen · ed. Sonja Gerlach [version in A major with twenty variations, and the additional (tenth) variation from the version in A major with twelve variations]
Könemann · K 174 · Klavierstücke I · ed. Miklós Dolinszky [version in A major with twenty variations, and version in A major with twelve variations]
Wiener Urtext · UT 50047 · Klavierstücke · ed. Franz Eibner/Gerschon Jarecki [version in G major with twenty variations, and version in A major with twelve variations]

Version in A major with twenty variations

Duration: 15'

Difficulty: 2.5

Version in G major with twenty variations

This version is possibly spurious.

Duration: 15'

Difficulty: 2.5

Version in A major with twelve variations

This version is possibly spurious.

Duration: 9' 30"

Difficulty: 2