Variations on a Theme by Sussmayr, WoO 76
Romantic Variations Piano solo ~7 min
In brief

The piece alternates clearly between singing upper-register episodes and abrupt accented figures in the low register, with tight dynamic contrasts that require swift shifts from lyrical legato to a more percussive attack. Technically, Knowledge of form (Connaissance des formes, 3.8/5) is crucial to map the sequence of variations and anticipate reprises and internal repeats, which means planning phrasing and precise hand transitions; Harmonic analysis (Analyse harmonique, 3.8/5) requires following the modulations and chord shifts to balance the voices and adjust left‑hand supports in the bass. Given as part of the romantic period here, it belongs to the composer’s engagement with the variation genre for piano, where contrast and thematic transformation are central concerns. I do not provide a reference recording because I am not entirely confident of a single widely recognized interpretation for this specific work.

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  • Play — 8 Variations on "Tändeln und Scherzen" by Franz Xaver Süssmayr, WoO 76: Theme. Andante quasi Allegretto · Ludwig van Beethoven, Alfredo Perl (the player loads on click)

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Sheet music

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MusicCoach difficulty
55/100
Intermediate
Likely range : 40–70/100
Confidence : 55% · fair confidence
BeginnerIntermediateAdvancedVirtuoso
Exam grade
About grade 6

Estimated from our difficulty score, not taken from an exam syllabus. Checked against 333 works on the ABRSM syllabus: the exact grade is right 7 times out of 10, and within one grade 99 times out of 100.

Difficulty estimate by MusicCoach on a scale of 1 to 100.

Where this work sits
050100

Most works cluster between 45 and 65: a small score gap often marks a real step. The highlighted bar shows this work among those for the same instrument.

The MusicCoach difficulty measures a work's overall demands (technique, reading, stamina) on a shared 0-100 scale, consolidated from editorial and pedagogical reference points (Henle, exam syllabuses, curation) and our own analyses. It measures neither musical value nor the practice time YOU will need: two musicians of the same level can experience the same work very differently depending on their strengths (hands used to octaves, quick sight-reading…). The confidence reflects how many reference points sit behind the score and how well they agree — a lightly documented score is flagged “to validate”. For a truly personal bearing, the diagnostic and your space compare each work to YOUR estimated level, which the score alone cannot do.

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Difficulty sources
Henle Verlag
6
62/100 normalised · 3 obs.
Relative difficulty
44%
Among Ludwig van Beethoven
41%
Era Romantic
39%
Genre
Estimated skills
Theory
Knowledge of forms
1
Theory
Harmonic analysis
2
Pedaling
Sustain pedal
1
Style
Romantic style
1
Rhythm
Tempo rubato
1
Technique
Legato
1
Interpretation
Phrasing
1
What to play next?

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