Description & Musical Analysis
Mozart's twelve variations on “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman,” K. 265, develop the melody widely known as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” This Mutopia edition includes the theme and all twelve variations, edited by J. J. Olson for two guitars.
How to Play & Trivia
About this Mozart work
Mozart's K. 265 begins with “Ah vous dirai-je, Maman,” a French melody familiar to English-speaking listeners as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” The Mutopia edition includes the theme followed by twelve variations, edited by J. J. Olson for two guitars. Each section reshapes the tune through changes in rhythm, ornament, and accompaniment.
Listen and practice
Start with the opening theme and compare it with later variations at a comfortable tempo. Follow the note display phrase by phrase; listen for the melody's outline as the accompaniment and decoration change. The complete set runs about nine minutes, giving plenty of time to hear Mozart develop one familiar tune.
Edition details
This MIDI comes from a public-domain Mutopia edition for two guitars. The source lists 1785 as the composition date. View the [Mutopia score and source details](https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=2236).
Available Instruments: Piano (Grand, Upright, Electric), Synthesizer, Organ, Guitar, 12-String Guitar, Viola Caipira, Ukulele, Bass (4 and 5 strings), Violin, Viola, Cello, Harp, Kalimba, Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Recorder, Flute, Ocarina, Saxophone, Clarinet, and Trumpet.
