HW 9 Webern Piano Variations, Op. 27/2

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Theory IV
Homework #9
Webern’s Piano Variations Op. 27/2
1. Using the instructions from your class notes on Constructing a Twelve-Tone Matrix, make a
matrix for Webern’s Op. 27 Piano Variations, second movement (attached, and also in
Burkhart, 6 th edition, p. 485). Use the form on page 2. The prime form of the row is
0 1 9 b 8 a 4 5 6 2 3 7
2. Use your matrix to analyze the row forms in the movement, as we did in the study questions
for Wie bin ich froh! Circle each row form in the music and label the row forms (TnP, TnI,
RTnP, RTnI). Hints:
a. The right and left hands (top and bottom staff, respectively) each use separate row
forms for the most part, but they occasionally cross from one hand to the other (i.e.
the row in the top staff crosses to the bottom staff, and vice versa.
b. As in Wie bin ich froh, row linking is used, i.e., the last note of one row form is also
the first of another. This occurs consistently in this piece.
c. Begin by finding the first row form for the top staff (it crosses to the bottom staff),
then find the first row form for the bottom staff (it crosses to the top staff). [See
diagram below.] WATCH OUT FOR CLEF CHANGES. Remember that the next
row forms begin with the last notes of the previous row forms.
RH:
LH:
3. Certain pitches always occur in pairs, although they occur in different row forms (one note in
each hand). Find as many of these pairs as you can.
4. Three-note chords occur several times in this movement. Name the set class (set name and
prime form) of each instance.
5. What contrapuntal procedure is used in this composition, i.e., what is the relationship of each
hands part to the other?
6. For extra credit: Can you find any consistency in dynamic and/or articulation for any of the
invariant dyads that you found in question 3? Use the back of this sheet or add an extra page.

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0 1 9 b 8 a 4 5 6 2 3 7

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