They restated the chorale melody completely and had a different contrapuntal setting each time."

Two famous variations artists in the Baroque era are George Frideric Handel and Johann Sebastian Bach (Wikipedia Online).

In the Classical Era, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, and Franz Schubert, are among the famous variations artists. Following are the types of variations in the Classical Era.

Penultimate Variation

This variation works on a slow tempo with multi-movements.

Final Variation

In contrast to the penultimate variation, the final variation is fast in style.

Double Variation

This variation uses two themes and is played in varied alteration (Wikipedia).

The Romantic Era, however, was where few variations were developed. Johannes Brahms was the famous variation artist of this era. Few of his works are Theme of Haydn, Franck's Symphonic Variations for piano solo and orchestra, and Elgar's Enigma Variations (ThinkQuest).

The 20th century also boasts of...
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