From ancient times through the present day, variation form can be found in nearly all

musics, whether Western and Eastern. Western variation form originated in the

medieval era, with heterophony and variances upon a single melody. People in

different eras have their own takes on variation forms, and their influence still

reverberate today.

This research paper focuses on the variation forms in 32 Variations on an Original

Theme in C minor, WoO 80, a monumental work from Ludwig van Beethoven’s

second period. It has shown Beethoven’s affinity for variation forms and has

influenced many later composers through to the present.

This paper is in five chapters. Chapter One is the introduction. Chapter Two gives an

overview of Beethoven’s and life and his music creation. Chapter Three overview a

survey of variation forms. Chapter Four presents an analysis of the work with

suggestions for interpretation, and finally, Chapter Five is the conclusion.