Franz Schubert (1797-1828) composed the cycle of eight variations for piano in four hands op. 10 in September, 1818 (published in 1822). The cycle is dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven. There are no evidences of these representatives of different generations to have ever met. However, there is no doubt of Schubert's true worship and admiration of his elder colleague.
Schubert's friend Joseph Spaun once wrote, that Schubert would have considered himself the happiest man, if he could get acquainted with Beethoven. Alas, the great master was very gloomy and haughty during the last years of his life, which was partially the result of his deafness, increasing and seizing the great composer.
Simultaneously there exists evidence of Beethoven's biographer Anton Schindler, that in February, 1827, Beethoven studied Schubert's songs and really enjoyed them sincerely, uttering true respect to the young composer's genius.
Eight Variations for Piano in four hands by Franz Schubert is th e confirmation of the adoration expressed by Schubert (being only twenty-one that time) in honour of the truly recognized genius of Beethoven. As for the practice concerning this composition there may be adduced Shakespeare's lines from ''Julius Caesar'': ''How many ages hence shall this our lofty scene be acted o'er, in states unborn and accents yet unknown''.