Brendel · Beethoven: Diabelli Variations (1/4)

Beethoven - 33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120
Thema: Vivace
1. Alla Marcia maestoso - 0:55
2. Poco Allegro - 2:48
3. L'istesso tempo - 3:36
4. Un poco più vivace - 4:58
5. Allegro vivace - 5:56
6. Allegro ma non troppo e serioso - 6:50
7. Un poco più allegro - 8:30
8. Poco vivace - 9:50
9. Allegro pesante e risoluto - 11:16
10. Presto - 13:01
11. Allegretto - 13:40

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

[marlyharris]

It's such a treat to be able to read the score as the music is played. Thank you so much for this.

[HiSemra]

@marlyharris You're most welcome! I'm glad to hear it. :)

[MaestroTJS]

@asianwhitenigger I think I know where you're at--I've been there with other pieces. Sometimes I think of what Vaughan Williams said about Schoenberg: that Schoenberg meant nothing to him but since he meant a lot to other people, the problem must have been with himself. lol

[asianwhitenigger]

@MaestroTJS I understand. But personally I love the Eroica variations more. It's very underrated. I'm one day I'll appreciate this masterpiece though. When I'm older perhaps.

[MaestroTJS]

@asianwhitenigger I think maybe you need to focus on the structure rather than the theme. The theme is about as basic as they come, which seems to have been what appealed to Beethoven.

Beethoven accomplished the impossible by actually making a silk purse from a sow's ear.

[Broblem12]

This is delightful. Thanks for posting this.

[Broblem12]

This is delightful. Thanks for posting this.

[magicalfirstkiss]

yay!

[yourFriendtheTaxman]

I wonder what Diabelli though when he saw what Beethoven had done using his amateur composition as springboard for such an inventive work that we now know was far, far ahead of it's time.

[TheSaidJason]

the Greatest art work of all times by the greatest master of all times. other composers and artist can give any opinion they wish but....... remembering that they studied Beethoven ;s art and not Beethoven studied theirs,,so who comes after must known what has passed before.... and Beethoven at this level was reinventing Art...and what came after is variation on his genetic art works..that he deliberately i think wished to keep his genetic artistic DNA..for others to explore,

[josearcanjof]

"Here it is, I've wrote 33 variations, my dear Diabelli..oh, hi, Czerny! I see you've got 2 there with you..."

"Yeah, one it's mine and the other is from my 12 year old pupil..."

"Oh! Great, what's his name?"

"Franz Liszt"

...and it makes me wonder:

WHY AM I NOT LIVING IN THE PAST!??

[asianwhitenigger]

I just dont understand this composition

the fucking theme can barely be heard

I hope one day i get it