K. 25, 7 Variations on "Willhelmus van Nassauwe"

K. 25, 7 Variations on "Willhelmus van Nassauwe"

While in The Netherlands, Mozart worked again on a popular national tune, dedicated to a political hero.  So popular, this work is now the Dutch national anthem. The oldest national anthem.

When people fiddle around with our national anthem, Americans can stir a frenzy. (Myself, I find some renditions horrid.) How did the Dutch deal with each variation?  I'm not Dutch, but here’s what I thought of each:

1. Straightforward mostly melody. Faster than the way they sing the anthem today. This version has a lighter, hopeful aura.  

2.  The melody nearly gets lost in the harmony, but in a playful manner, as if it wants to be lost. 

3.  A prancing ‘chopsticks’ version of the tune. There is an air of eagerness like a child rushing to a pile of presents.

4.  A galloping frolic, like a girl skipping through a meadow.

5.  This jazzy number conjures a woman gazing onto her crush and sighing.

6.  Quickened heartbeat, as if the object of her affection has spotted her and is walking over.

7.  The slowest.  A reverent sound, the most similar to the national anthem.