LEADER
As well as broadcasting and webcasting, Rick Phillips is a busy freelance writer and reviewer, lecturer, panel moderator, musical travel tour guide, artistic director and concert host. He’s often a juror in the classical music categories for the Juno Awards, and is the author of “The Essential Classical Recordings – 101 CDs” published by McClelland & Stewart. He leads a variety of Music History & Appreciation courses at the University of Toronto, York University and other venues. He holds a B. Mus. from McGill University and a M. Mus. from the University of Toronto.
Rick has always loved the infinite variety of possibilities that the Theme & Variations form encourages, and how it reflects our lives.
BOOKS
No books are required.
SEMINAR OVERVIEW
“The moment at which music reveals its true nature is contained in the ancient exercise of the theme with variations. The complete mystery of music is explained right there.” (Pierre Schaeffer – French composer, writer, engineer: 1910-1995 )
One of the most basic and popular forms in music is the ‘Theme and Variations’ – the technique of subjecting a given melody or theme to a series of melodic, harmonic, tempo, rhythmic, and other changes.
The theme is often stated at the outset, followed by a succession of variations on it, revealing different aspects and traits of the original. The form dates back to dance music of the 16th century, increasing in popularity during the 17th and 18th centuries as it grew to incorporate similar forms like the chaconne and passacaglia. Composers then began to use the Theme and Variation form within the context of larger structures, like the sonata, symphony and concerto, as in the finale of the Symphony No. 3, “Eroica” by Beethoven. It continued to develop in the 19th century Romantic period and the 20th, when composers employed the form for an entire independent work, like the Variations on a Theme of Handel, Op. 24 for piano by Johannes Brahms, or The Enigma Variations, Op. 36 for orchestra by Sir Edward Elgar.
The concept is not complicated and some have likened it to meeting a person, and gradually getting to know them better as your relationship deepens and you see different moods, character traits, etc. Or, to be more scientific, each of us is a unique and original variation on the genetic code of humanity.
Using a variety of recordings, Rick Phillips will lead an informative and enlightening series delving into Themes and Variations throughout history, increasing appreciation, understanding and love of the form and music.
Toronto Pursuits pricing options
All seminars are $150 off through February 28. Sale prices are automatically applied.
Bring a friend and save even more! Take $100 off your registration for every new friend you bring to Toronto Pursuits. Your friend also saves $100 on their registration. Choose your discount from the dropdown menu based on the number of friends who also plan to register, and let us know your friend’s name in the order notes.
The fine print: To get the bring-a-friend discount, your friend must not have registered for any previous Toronto Pursuits seminar in any year. Your friend must register by July 1, 2025, or Classical Pursuits will apply the nondiscounted price to your final payment. Limit one $100 discount per participant for being referred as a new friend. For example, if person A brings new friend B, person C cannot also claim friend B for the bring-a-friend discount. If friend B brings new friend D, friend B qualifies for $100 discount for being a new referral, and an additional $100 for referring new friend D. Classical Pursuits reserves the right to make all decisions about discount eligibility.
Toronto Pursuits 2025
See the Toronto Pursuits 2025 page for full details on the program schedule, health and safety, booking your accommodations, terms and conditions, and more.
