Variations for Pianoforte and Cello, Op. 66, WoO 45, WoO 46 - Beethoven

Beethoven’s three sets of cello variations comprise the “Twelve Variations on a Theme from Händel’s Oratorio ‘Judas Maccabeus’” (WoO 45), the “Twelve Variations on the theme ‘Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen’” (op.66) from Mozart’s opera “Die Zauberflöte” and the “Seven Variations on the duet ‘Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen’” (WoO 46), also from “Die Zauberflöte”.

These works have existed in many different editions, some of which have from time to time been (tacitly) reprinted with corrections to keep up to date with the latest scholarship. This new Bärenreiter Urtext edition, however, is the first to give all Beethoven’s rhythms in the violoncello part correctly. Beethoven’s autograph manuscript of op.66 is lost; the critical commentary (English) includes a complete facsimile of the violoncello part from the only surviving source (the first edition), illustrating the various problems encountered in determining the best musical text.