Beethovens Diabelli Variations

· Oxford University Press
Ebook
248
Pages
Eligible
Ratings and reviews aren’t verified  Learn More

About this ebook

The Thirty-three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, Op. 120, represent Beethovens most extraordinary achievement in the art of variation-writing. In their originality and power of invention, they stand beside other late Beethoven masterpieces such as the Ninth Symphony, the Missa Solemnis, and the last quartets. William Kindermans study of the compositional history of the work includes the first extended investigation and reconstruction of the sketches and drafts, and reveals, contrary to earlier views of its chronology, that it was actually begun in 1819, then put aside, and completed in 1822-3. Kinderman also provides an analytical discussion of the complete work, and he demonstrates how insights derived from a close study of the sketches can illuminate Beethovens compositional ideas and attitudes and contribute substantially to a better understanding of this massive and complex set of variations. The book includes complete transcriptions of the two central documents in the genesis of the Diabelli variations - the reconstructed Wittgenstein Sketchbook and the Paris - Landsberg - Montauban Draft.

About the author

William Kinderman is Professor of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His books include Beethoven (OUP, 1995), Artaria 195: Beethovens Sketchbook for the Missa solemnis and the Piano Sonata in E Major, Opus 109, and Mozarts Piano Music (OUP, 2006), and he has written or edited numerous works on many other composers and pieces. An outstanding pianist, Kinderman has recorded Beethovens Diabelli Variations and the last sonatas for Hyperion / Helios records; his acclaimed studio recording of the Diabelli Variations has recently been reissued together with a live lecture recital as a double CD on Arietta Records.

Rate this ebook

Tell us what you think.

Reading information

Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Center instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.