The young Beethoven revered Handel above all other composers, which resulted in these delightful variations from Judas Maccabaeus.
The variations on a theme from Judas Maccabaeus were very likely written after Beethoven had attended rehearsals of Handel’s oratorio in Berlin. Although their chief priority is to show off the pianist’s dexterity, they are quite capable of throwing up examples of Beethoven’s dramatic style, notably in the minor-key Variation VIII and the virtuoso gestures of Variations VII and XII.