Variations on a Melancholy Theme is an album by American jazz pianist Brad Mehldau with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.

[7] RJ Lambert of AllMusic stated, "Mehldau’s use of modern compositional techniques brings forth some unexpected tonalities, far beyond those of melancholy.

"[1] Nigel Jarrett of Jazz Journal commented, "Mehldau’s ambitious work is a theme and variations in which the neo-classicism of Stravinsky is sometimes invoked as well as the lush and sometimes wild sonorities of a full orchestra.

Not that Mehldau over-indulges himself; in fact, he is often sparing in treating the two-part, three-to-the-bar theme to 11 variants – more if a cadenza and postlude are included and, on the album, an encore of two more variations.

"[3] John Garratt of PopMatters added, "The truly great thing about Variations on a Melancholy Theme is that it rewards casual as well as careful listening.