Mozart Variations of "Ah! vous dirai-je maman" for Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star
"Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" is a poem sung to the tune of the French melody "Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman", which was published in 1761 and later arranged by composer Wolfgang A. Mozart for his famous "12 Variations on "Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman, K265/300e.
It is a common misconception that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star." He did not, as many of us believed or were made to believe whilst playing it for our piano lessons as children that Wolfgang Mozart composed it. Mozart was a child of five when the original French folk song was composed under the title of "Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman", in 1761. Literally, or in context, the English translation would mean something like "Oh, would I tell you, mom?", "Will I tell you, mom?", or "Should I tell you, mom?". The music first appeared (without words) in "Les Amusements d'une Heure et Demy" by Mr. Bouin in Paris.
Here's one played by Natalie Schwamova. Sorry, embedding is disabled upon request. She played this when she was 11 years old. (Accessed from Youtube, September 11, 2012)
Mozart's Ah! vous dirai je maman: Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star KV 265
Mozart composed a series of variations on this melody when he was older. Amongst my CD collection of Mozart music is Mozart, with 12 Variations "Ah, vous dirai-je, Maman," K265, performed by Andras Schiff on the piano under Decca Record label, 1988.