How to Listen to and Understand Great Music, 3rd Edition Season 1 Episode 19 Classical-era Form—Theme and Variations

This lecture initiates a discussion of Classical instrumental musical form that will continue through Lecture 25. We examine the theme and variations form, an adaptation of Baroque variations to the expressive and musical needs of the Classical era. The Classical theme and variations form uses a tune as its theme rather than a bass line or harmonic progression.