Variations on a Theme by George Rochberg

This World Premiere publication is of a piano solo composed by William Bolcom in 1987 for the occasion of George Rochberg’s 70th birthday. It is comprised of the Rochberg theme and seven variations. From the composer’s program note: “…I was deeply and emotionally moved by much of George’s music, particularly pieces like Contra Mortem et Tempus….. The theme from the Rochberg Violin Concerto I used for these variations has the same heartbreaking intensity. I used as model – something I rarely do – Brahms’ Variations on a Theme of Schumann.”