About the creation

Paul Ben-Haim writes on his Melody and Variations as follows: "I composed the melody (without variations) as a little piece for children - or beginners - as commissioned by Mr. Moshe Gorali for the Davar Children's Weekly; the piece, as it appeared in the paper, was similar in form and character to the first variation of the present work. As I played it over time and again, it occured to me that the melody lent itself well to further elaboration and I decided to use it for a set of variations for young pianists: the theme was greatly simplified (the melody being present in unison and in octaves) and the original piece became the first variation, which in turn inspired new variations. Yet while at work on the elaboration of my original material, I felt that there was a considerable force of expression latent in the seemingly unassuming melody - just as closer acquaintance of people often makes on detect qualities that one would hardly suspect in them at a first casual meeting. Intimate acquaintance with my own little melody made me change the tone of my work with the eighth variation: it suddenly assumed an almost menacing strain and then became in turn passionate, affectionate, meditative - losing its erstwhile youthful character completely. I should like the pianist to bear the history of the little work well in mind when he performs it: it should be started in a simple and innocent fashion and gradually develop in force and expressiveness; the resumption of the theme at the conclusion of the work should be played very tenderly, without nuances or colouring - just like the melody itself. I do not favour any rubato in the performance of this work, except where I have wxpressly demand it."