The third movement is a collection of variations of a theme that is not present in that movement, but in the fugue of the following movement. These four variations are characterised by having different speeds, melodic lines in different octaves throughout the whole movement; in the last variation, a typical Stravinsky technique (an ostinato in G and B-flat, that is, a third interval) is present. In various statements, Stravinsky claims he could have orchestrated this specific movement, but he wanted this composition to remain a composition for two pianos, so that he and his son could play it.