Variations and Fugue in E flat minor op. 23

The Sonata in E flat minor, op. 21 as well as Variations and Fugue in E flat minor, op. 23 were one of the I.J. Paderewski’s favourite works. The maturity of that work is noticeable in its large form and diversity in terms of style, texture and timbre.

On the one hand, the work is compatibile with the Late Romantique tradition of composing monumental variation forms; on the other, it refers to new tendecies in music, to Impressionist sensitivity to timbre. The work also includes techniques that make it slightly Modernist.

The factors mentioned above make the work demanding for the performers in regard to expression, texture, and timbre. This work can be a great element of the concert repertoire, and the composer himself included it in his recitals.