András Schiff piano

Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations are considered a magnum opus of the piano repertoire, a towering contribution to the genre and an entire Encyclopedia of pianism.
Following his monumental exploration of the 32 Sonatas, András Schiff has now recorded – on two period instruments – remarkable, contrasting versions of the Diabelli Variations alongside major late works with intrinsic ties to them. The Sonata Op. 111 and the Diabelli Variations (CD 1) are played on an original Bechstein grand from 1921, and the second reading of the Diabelli Variations, (paired with the op. 126 Bagatelles on CD2) on a Hammerflügel fortepiano from Beethoven's own day. This gives listeners a unique opportunity to compare the rich range of these highly contrasting sonic universes, a world apart from modern day instruments.
In his liner note András Schiff acknowledges the value of having been able to consult the previously unknown original manuscript of the Variations which provided invaluable insight into Beethoven's compositional process and intentions.

Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations are considered a magnum opus of the piano repertoire, a towering contribution to the genre and an entire Encyclopedia of pianism.
Following his monumental exploration of the 32 Sonatas, András Schiff has now recorded – on two period instruments – remarkable, contrasting versions of the Diabelli Variations alongside major late works with intrinsic ties to them. The Sonata Op. 111 and the Diabelli Variations (CD 1) are played on an original Bechstein grand from 1921, and the second reading of the Diabelli Variations, (paired with the op. 126 Bagatelles on CD2) on a Hammerflügel fortepiano from Beethoven's own day. This gives listeners a unique opportunity to compare the rich range of these highly contrasting sonic universes, a world apart from modern day instruments.
In his liner note András Schiff acknowledges the value of having been able to consult the previously unknown original manuscript of the Variations which provided invaluable insight into Beethoven's compositional process and intentions.


CD 1 (Bechstein piano):

Sonata No. 32 c-minor op. 111
Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato
Arietta. Adagio molto et cantabile

Diabelli-Variationen op. 120
Thema. Vivace
Var. I Alla marcia maestoso
Var. II Poco allegro
Var. III L’istesso tempo
Var. IV Un poco più vivace
Var. V Allegro vivace
Var. VI Allegro ma non troppo e serioso
Var. VII Un poco più allegro
Var. VIII Poco vivace
Var. IX Allegro pesante e risoluto
Var. X Presto
Var. XI Allegretto
Var. XII Un poco più moto
Var. XIII Vivace
Var. XIV Grave e maestoso
Var. XV Presto scherzando
Var. XVI Allegro
Var. XVII
Var. XVIII Poco moderato
Var. XIX Presto
Var. XX Andante
Var. XXI Allegro con brio
Var........
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