6 Variationen über ein Originalthema op. 2 & 8 Variationen über ein Thema aus Castor und Pollux von Georg Joseph Vogler op. 5

In Weber’s chronological catalogue of works, the composition of 6 Variations on an Original Theme, op. 2 (WeV R.4) is dated to the year 1800. That year, the work was also published by the composer at Senefelder in Munich, with a dedication to Johann Nepomuk Kalcher.

Weber’s variations were first published in September 1800, accompanied by a brief review which highlighted the poor quality of the engraving (lithography) but acknowledged a certain merit of the composition:
‘It is a pity that the engraving is so flawed. The variations are not bad at all and are quite useful for casual entertainment and practical hand exercises. They deserve all the more lenient criticism because their composer is a very young and promising artist [...].’

- Markus Bandur (Translation: Esther Dubielzig)

When Carl Maria von Weber was just 18 years old, his Variations op. 5 on a theme from Abbé Georg Joseph Vogler’s opera Castore e Polluce from 1791 were published. With this piano piece, Weber made reference to his composition teacher Vogler in several ways: Not only did the abbé provide the model, he also closely supervised the further development of the work as part of his teaching, with the result that Weber’s variations clearly reflect the influence of these lessons.

The cycle was reviewed in the Allgemeine musikalische Zeitung. Weber is praised overall, but there are also a few points of criticism, such as a lack of harmonic finesse and difficulties in terms of composition and playing technique. However, the review concludes on a conciliatory note: ‘We very much hope that Mr v. Weber will offer amateurs more often light, friendly and yet not superficial little works such as this one, which is like most of his pieces!’

- Salome Obert (Translation: Esther Dubielzig)