Symphonic Variations

Symphonic Variations is a multicolored composition consisting of 3 connected parts inspired by the theme of the famous Passacaglia in C Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach. Jacob de Haan: “As a church organist, I experienced Johann Sebastian Bach’s Passacaglia as a very inspiring composition. It challenged me to create a Passacaglia theme myself, which somewhat reflected Bach’s atmosphere in his theme.”

This composition is based on this passacaglia theme, in which virtuosity, effect, symphonic drama and oriental melody lines play a role. The theme is processed in the most diverse ways, sometimes by highlighting combinations of notes and sometimes by creating new motifs based on the theme. You experience it as an adventure, in which various emotions pass by.

But everything can be traced back to the series of notes of the passacaglia theme. In the final part of the composition, on top of a musical perpetual motion of notes from the Passacaglia theme, the final theme is created: a march. This leads to an impressive conclusion of the work.