As the title suggests, this piece comprises a set of variations on an original chorale,which is presented in the opening bars.The chorale uses the dark middle and lower sections of the band and is extended with minor variations until a pause leads to the first real variation, marked Vivo. This is in the form of a moto perpetuo. The second variation is a beautiful Andante introduced by a solo clarinet. Following a full band climax the final variation opens with quiet, nervous energy until its mai...