Diabelli variations

…or, to give it its full title, Thirty-three variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op.120. Interestingly, rather than using the italianate variationen to describe his work, Beethoven chose the German word Veränderungen (‘variations’ but also ‘trans-formations’).

When Anton Diabelli announced the publication of this work… he proclaimed these variations ‘a great and important masterpiece…’ entitled ‘to a place beside Sebastian Bach’s masterpiece in the same form’ (the Goldberg Variations).

This is still the general critical verdict.

William Kindermann

Scores:

Diabelli Variations, Op.120 

Music: (you must install Spotify* to hear the music link below)

Diabelli Variations, Op.120 

* If you have problems accessing the Spotify link, paste beethoven diabelli barenboim into the Spotify search box.

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