Mozart wrote many sets of keyboard variations based on themes from operas popular during his time, such as the Variations (8) (K. 352) on the chorus "Dieu d'amour" from Grétry's Les mariages samnites, and the Variations (6) (K. 180) on "Mio Caro Adone," from Salieri's La fiera di Venezia. The source of the theme upon which Mozart based this K. 398 set of variations was the "Salve tu, Domine" from the 1779 opera I filosofi immaginarii by Giovanni Paisiello. He had attended a German-language performance of it in Vienna in 1781 and an Italian-language one there two years later. The theme is elegant in its sprightly, delicate character, but is heard just once, Mozart understandably anxious to present his more attractive offshoots. While the first variation is charming in its busier manner, the second effervesces in its greater sense of exuberance. The ensuing variant is regal in its confident, almost serene character, while the slow fourth is reflective and light. Radiant trills abound in the next variation, which also features a cadenza, but not as grand a one as presented in the dramatic sixth. The piece closes with a reprise of the theme.

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