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The Ten National Airs with Variations for Flute and Piano, Op. 107, were composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1818 and 1819. [1] Beethoven wrote this piece based on folk-derived melodies. [1] This is one of several sets of pieces that Beethoven wrote that are folk-derived. The piece was for George Thomson, a wealthy Edinburgh-based publisher with whom he had a difficult business relationship. [2] [1] These variation sets were first published in 1819 in both London and Vienna. [1]
- The first of the ten sets of variations uses an Alpine air (E flat), "Ich bin a Tiroler Bua". [1]
- The second set uses the Scottish "Bonny Laddie, Highland Laddie" [1]
- The fourth set employs the popular "St. Patrick's Day." [1]
- The fifth set ("A Madel, ja a madel") includes great difficulty for both instruments. [1]
- The Sixth set resembles (in mood) Beethoven's Sixth Symphony ("Pastoral"). [1]
- In the seventh set, Beethoven uses a popular Ukrainian tune Ikhav Kozak za Dunaj known in Germany as "Schöne Minka." [1]
- The eighth set uses the five variations on "O Mary, at thy Window be". They are solidly conceived and quite inventive. [1]
- The ninth and tenth sets are based on a Scottish tune ("O, Thou art the Lad of my Heart") and a march, "The Highland Watch." [1]