Reicha wrote a Cours de Composition and it is in this book that the Variations for Wind Quartet are to be found. Reicha presents the theme as a two-part fragment, which he suggests could form the basis for the Andante of a quartet or quintet. He then describes how to elaborate the theme. First he adds two simple inner parts whose accompanying role adds harmonic richness, variety and interest to the outer counterpoint. Then Reicha proceeds to create variations out of his original theme: he inverts the outer parts, varies them, inverts the variations, varies them again and finally inverts the second variation.

The result is a short piece in six eight-bar sections which offer accessible chamber music and an example of compositional techniques for teaching use. A new edition of the Variations offering a wide range of instrumentation has been prepared by C.M.M. Nex and F.H. Nex with the permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library.