Dedication: Eleonore Brigitta von Breuning

First Edition: Artaria & Co., Vienna (1793)

Sketches for this work began in 1792 while Beethoven was still in Bonn, and it was completed and published in Vienna the following year. Beethoven likely chose this theme based on his experience as a court musician, having participated in the Bonn premiere of The Marriage of Figaro at the National Theater. He informed Eleonore, the eldest daughter of the Breuning family who had cared for him in Bonn, of the work's dedication in a letter from Vienna.

The cover of the first edition bore the opus number 1 (Oeuvre I), and the violin part was marked "ad libitum." However, in later printings, the violin part was first changed to "obbligato," and after the publication of the Piano Trios, Op. 1, the opus number was altered to simply "Nro I."

The theme is in binary form, consisting of 12 + 8 measures (a a b|: c :|). The 6th and 7th variations are in minor, and a long 62-measure coda follows the final variation. Although some theories suggest that a solo piano version of this work preceded the present one, based on the available related materials, there are many passages where both parts are in an equal relationship, notably in the 6th variation where the violin carries the main voice throughout the variation. While sections where the piano predominates are noticeable overall, it is difficult to imagine that the violin part was considered "ad libitum" at the time of composition.