Beethoven’s Opus 107 is a second set of instrumental National Airs with Variations, complementing the Opus 105 set (Day 313) composed around the same time. The national origins of the ten Opus 107 folksongs are more varied, including Tyrolean and Russian tunes.
The 10 airs of Opus 107 are identified in the score only with the national origin, but they are commonly known with the titles of the folk songs that they are based on:
1. Air Tirolien: “I bin a Tiroler Bua”
2. Air Écossais: “Bonny Laddie, Highland Laddie”
3. Air de la petite Russie, also known as Volkslied aus Kleinrussland
4. Air Écossais: “The Pulse of an Irishman” or “St. Patrick’s Day”
5. Air Rirolien: “A Madel, ja a Madel”
6. Air Écossais: “Merch Megan” or “Peggy’s Daughter”
7. Air Russe: “Schöne Minka”
8. Air Écossais: “O Mary, at thy Window Be”
9. Air Écossais: “Oh, Thou art the Lad of my Heart”
10. Air Écossais: “The Highland Watch”
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10 National Airs with Variations (Opus 107), 1818–19
Only the first 8 of the 10 are included in this studio recording with animated score.
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10 National Airs with Variations (Opus 107), 1818–19
No. 9 of the set with the legendary flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal.
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10 National Airs with Variations (Opus 107), 1818–19
The legendary flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal again with the tenth and last of the set.
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10 National Airs with Variations (Opus 107), 1818–19
One hardly expects Maurizio Pollini and Wolfgang Schulz to be playing one of these pieces, but here they are with the popular No. 3, “Air de la petite Russie.”
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10 National Airs with Variations (Opus 107), 1818–19
The ever-popular No. 7 of the set is “Schöne Minka” based on a Ukranian folksong.
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10 National Airs with Variations (Opus 107), 1818–19
Another “Schöne Minka” performed in Japan by pianist Francesca Cardone and flutist Yoshimi Oshima.
#Beethoven250 Day 314
10 National Airs with Variations (Opus 107), 1818–19
One more “Schöne Minka,” this time on an 1823 five-key crystal flute and an 1843 fortepiano.