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Double variation

The double variation (also known as alternating variations) is a musical form used in classical music. It is a type of theme and variations that employs two themes. In a double variation set, a first theme (to be called A here) is followed by a second theme (B), followed by a variation on A, then a variation on B, and so on with alternating A and B variations. Often there is a coda at the end. The double variation is strongly associated with the composer Joseph Haydn, who wrote many such movements during his career. Later Ludwig van Beethoven sometimes used this form more loosely, often in slower movements. The form was occasionally used by subsequent Romantic-era composers.

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Article summary

The double variation (also known as alternating variations) is a musical form used in classical music. It is a type of theme and variations that employs two themes. In a double variation set, a first theme (to be called A here) is followed by a second theme (B), followed by a variation on A, then a variation on B, and so on with alternating A and B variations. Often there is a coda at the end. The double variation is strongly associated with the composer Joseph Haydn, who wrote many such movements during his career. Later Ludwig van Beethoven sometimes used this form more loosely, often in slower movements. The form was occasionally used by subsequent Romantic-era composers.

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  1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
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  3. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

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