Thème et variations (1932) is a composition by Olivier Messiaen

Olivier Messiaen

Olivier Messiaen was a French composer, organist and ornithologist, one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex ; harmonically and melodically it is based on modes of limited transposition, which he abstracted from his early compositions and improvisations...

 for solo violin

Violin

The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....

 and piano

Piano

The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...

, and lasts around ten minutes. It is considered as equally characteristic as his Quatuor pour la fin du temps

Quatuor pour la fin du temps

Quatuor pour la fin du temps, also known by its English title Quartet for the End of Time, is a piece of chamber music by the French composer Olivier Messiaen. It was premiered in 1941...

 and is as immediately accessible as that work. The work was originally written as a wedding present for the composer's first wife, the violinist, Claire Delbos

Claire Delbos

Claire Delbos was a French violinist and composer, and first wife of the composer Olivier Messiaen.-Biography:...

, whom he married on 22 June 1932. The young couple gave the first performance on 22 November the same year.

The work is divided into six brief sections:

• Thème—Modéré
• Variation Number 1 - Modéré
• Variation Number 2 - Un peu moins Modére
• Variation Number 3 - Modéré, avec éclat
• Variation Number 4 - Vif et passionné
• Variation Number 5 - Tres modéré

Source

• Dingle, Christopher. The Life of Messiaen.