Brendel · Beethoven: Diabelli Variations (4/4)

Beethoven - 33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120
30. Andante, sempre cantabile
31. Largo, molto espressivo - 2:31
32. Fuga: Allegro - 6:58
33. Tempo di Menuetto moderato - 9:51

Alfred Brendel on the Diabelli Variations:
"The greatest of all piano works."

"The theme has ceased to reign over its unruly offspring. Rather, the variations decide what the theme may have to offer them. Instead of being confirmed, adorned and glorified, it is improved, parodied, ridiculed, disclaimed, transfigured, mourned, stamped out and finally uplifted."

"Beethoven's first biographer, Anton Schindler, says—and for once I am inclined to believe him—that the composition of this work 'amused Beethoven to a rare degree', that it was written 'in a rosy mood', and that it was 'bubbling with unusual humour', disproving the belief that Beethoven spent his late years in complete gloom. According to Wilhelm von Lenz, one of the most perceptive early commentators on Beethoven's music, Beethoven here shines as the 'most thoroughly initiated high priest of humour'; he calls the variations 'a satire on their theme."

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabelli_Variations

Enjoy!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• anton
• diabelli
• variations
• beethoven
• alfred
• brendel

[gkatta]

@TheGloryofMusic In some ways, it's nice that pieces like this remain somewhat obscure, it's like our own personal treasures. When pieces become widely known, they're sort of corrupted. We have new years celebrations in time to the Ode to Joy. You could imagine Beethoven resenting the fact that his music is used in contexts like that where people don't really appreciate the music fully. Besides, these are really introspective pieces anyways, they're not made to be popular.

[xmlex]

I love the 32nd variation more than anything on Earth.

[yourFriendtheTaxman]

This and the sonata OP 111 are the best works ever written for the piano.

[H1dden1s]

13:33 {APPLAUSE}

[VFellhn]

diabelli varations..the best piano work of all time..beethoven 3rd period is far away from this world...the voice of god singing on beethoven soul !!!thanku beethoven..

sorry for my english!!!

[MagicDolphinGO]

this kind of makes all the romantics up until debussy seem redundant

[TheGloryofMusic]

Sadly, the Diabelli Variations will never be a popular piece.