Sarabande

The Variations comprising this work are based on Handel’s Sarabande from the Keyboard
Suite XI (HWV 437). In keeping with Handel’s score the composition is written in D minor.
Handel created a 15 bar Sarabande theme that is repeated and 2 variations (again 15 bars
in length that are repeated). The original composition used a 3/2 rhythmic design.

The current composer employed these in their entirely before embarking on his own set of 10
additional variations. Each variation has an underlying theme or topic as follows:

Theme Handel’s Sarabande Theme
Variation 1 Handel’s First Variation
Variation 2 Handel’s Second Variation
Variation 3 Cascades
Variation 4 Saltarello
Variation 5 Rachmaninoff (Chords)
Variation 6 Symphonia
Variation 7 Hornpipes
Variation 8 Dies Irae
Variation 9 Counterpunctus
Variation 10 Maggiore
Variation 11 La Chasse
Variation 12 Carrillon

Not unlike DaVinci’s Mona Lisa which he continually “updated”, this composition has
been in process since 11 March 2013 and is finally being made available for “exhibition” in
August 2021 on my musical website.

With regard to specific Variations:

Variation 3 termed “Cascades” is meant to paint a tone picture of waterfalls with the
sarabande theme.

Variation 4 termed “Saltarello” consists of “jumping” chords across 3 octaves in a
march like motif.

Variation 5 termed “Rachmaninoff” displays the theme as a series of dense chords akin
to those employed by Rachmaninoff.

Variation 6 termed ”Symphonia” reflects a baroque contrapuntal form like Bach’s three
voice inventions (which he termed “symphonia”).

Variation 7 termed “Hornpipes” is meant to convey a jig or hornpipe mood with a
droning bagpipe sound.

Variation 8 termed “Dies Irae” incorporates the Dies Irae theme of the Requiem into
the Sarabande rhythm. The second part of this variation employs the “Octotonic” Scale to
represent the devil’s dancing around the dead.

Variation 9 temed “Counterpunctus” employs contrapuntal species writing.

Variation 10 termed “Maggiore” scores the Sarabande theme from its main key of
D minor to create the illusion of a major key.

Variation 11 termed “La Chasse” has the Sarabande theme in the treble clef “chase its
tail in the bass clef offset by half a beat.

Variation 12 termed “Carrillon” is the last variation and employs a carillon format
for the Sarabande theme.