Classical Music | Piano Music

Ludwig van Beethoven

32 Variations in c minor, WoO 80  Play

Yue Chu Piano

Recorded on 08/20/2014, uploaded on 08/20/2014

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

The 32 Variations in C minor on an Original Theme were composed during 1806, but were unknown to the public until 1809.  Perhaps Beethoven did not care for the work after composing it.  It was published originally without an opus number, being listed instead as WoO 80.  Even later, when Beethoven heard the daughter of the piano maker Streicher playing it, he failed to recognize it!   

By choosing the key of C minor, at least one can believe that Beethoven was serious when composing this work.  According to pianist and scholar Charles Rosen: “Beethoven in C minor has come to symbolize his artistic character.  In every case, it reveals Beethoven as Hero. C minor does not show Beethoven at his most subtle, but it does give him to us in his most extrovert form, where he seems to be most impatient of any compromise”. 

From the powerful and somewhat painful opening chords, the transition through the lyrical middle sections in major key, and finally to the stormy and dark finish, Beethoven explores not only the range and color the piano could provide as an instrument, but also shows us the possibilities of every imaginable technique of playing piano.  These 32 Variations bring us both unity and variety in one breath.

If the 32 Variations in C minor show the ability of a pianist to meet the challenges of the piano’s technical possibilities – chords, arpeggios, scales, trills, octaves, staccato thirds – then the Sonata in B minor, S.178 by Liszt is an even greater test.      Yue Chu

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