Creative Variations
Beethoven: Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 / Brahms: Handel Variations, Op. 24 / Bach: Goldberg Variations BWV 988
Issued: June, 2011
This is a collection of wonderful piano works by three different composers, and three different interpreters:
- The Bach Goldberg variations is an amazing work, built as a series of musical “Fantasies”, as it were, on a single theme the J S Bach called the “Aria”.
- After Bach, Beethoven, too, composed variations as parts of piano sonatas, and as independent works as is the case here, in his so-called Diabelli variations.
- And Johannes Brahms composed many works, such as the variations on a theme by Handel, also scored for symphony orchestra.
All three of these performances were recorded around 20 years ago. We see a young Andras Schiff perform the Bach masterpiece. I liked his interpretation; my only dislike was the constant close-up video of Mr. Schiff’s face, which to me was a distraction.
Daniel Barenboim performs the Beethoven, as recorded in 1991. Like the rest of us, he was a young man then…
And we see a very young Yefim Bronfman play the Brahms.
Wonderful music for your enjoyment.
Here are some highlights of “Variations”: Barenboim/Beethoven – Bronfman/Brahms – Schiff/Bach
Yes… yes… some of you want to hear the Glenn Gould performance of the Goldberg. This is for you…
Tags: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Variations for piano, Barenboim, Schiff, Bronfman