Variations on a Theme by Haydn

The Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn (German: Variationen über ein Thema von Jos.

Brahms's statement of the theme varies in small but significant ways from the original, principally with regard to instrumentation.

A further question is whether the composer of the divertimento actually wrote the "St. Anthony Chorale" or simply quoted an older theme taken from an unknown source.

The variations are scored for piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns (2 in E♭, 2 in B♭), 2 trumpets, timpani, triangle, and the normal string section of first and second violins, violas, cellos and double basses.

The theme begins with a repeated ten-measure passage which itself consists of two intriguing[citation needed] five-measure phrases, a quirk that is likely to have caught Brahms's attention.

Each has a distinctive character, several calling to mind the forms and techniques of earlier eras, with some displaying a mastery of counterpoint seldom encountered in Romantic music.

The main theme was used in the 23 minute title track from the 1974 LP Hamburger Concerto by Dutch rock group Focus.