Shai Wosner - Beethoven: Diabelli Variations (CD)

In 1819 the publisher and composer Anton Diabelli invited 50 Austrian composers to write one variation a short waltz he had composed. He specified that it take up just one sheet (which he supplied) and this already contained his waltz. Composers such as Czerny, Moscheles, Hummel, Kalkbrenner, Liszt (just 10 years old), Schubert and Beethoven were among those invited. All except one provided their contribution. That one was Beethoven, who, electrified by Diabelli's Waltz produced a massive work comprising 33 variations which was completed after the composer had completed the Missa Solemnis, and the last three piano sonatas. He delivered it to Diabelli in 1823, making it his final masterpiece. This huge work is one of the peaks of the repertoire for solo piano, it still baffles the listener, it still has the capacity to reveal more than we thought we knew about it. It makes extreme demands upon the performer and the listener, and in a great performance never ceases to surprise and shock the listener.

Track List:

Disc: 1

1. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Tema. Vivace
2. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 1, Alla marcia maestoso
3. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 2, Poco allegro
4. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 3, L'istesso tempo
5. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 4, Un poco più vivace
6. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 5, Allegro vivace
7. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 6, Allegro ma non troppo e serioso
8. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 7, Un poco più allegro
9. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 8, Poco vivace
10. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 9, Allegro pesante e risoluto
11. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 10, Presto
12. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 11, Allegretto
13. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 12, Un poco più moto
14. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 13, Vivace
15. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 14, Grave e maestoso
16. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 15, Presto scherzando
17. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 16, Allegro
18. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 17, Allegro
19. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 18, Poco moderato
20. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 19, Presto
21. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 20, Andante
22. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 21, Allegro con brio - Meno allegro
23. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 22, Allegro molto alla "Notte e giorno faticar" di Mozart
24. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 23, Allegro assai
25. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 24, Andante
26. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 25, Allegro
27. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 26, Piacevole
28. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 27, Vivace
29. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 28, Allegro
30. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 29, Adagio ma non troppo
31. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 30, Andante, sempre cantabile
32. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 31, Largo, molto espressivo
33. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 32, Fuga
34. Diabelli Variations, Op. 120: Var. 33, Tempo di menuetto moderato