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
Classical Music | Piano Music
Ludwig van Beethoven
32 Variations in c minor, WoO 80
PlayRecorded 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
More music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19, Third Movement (Rondo: Allegro molto)
Piano Sonata No. 28 in A Major, Op. 101
Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
Sonata No. 32 in c minor, Op. 111
Fantasie in g minor, Op. 77
33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120
String Quartet No. 11 in f minor, Op. 95, Serioso
String Quartet Op. 131
Sonata for cello and piano in g minor, Op 5, No. 2
Sonata No. 5 for Violin and Piano in F Major, Op. 24 "Spring"
Performances by same musician(s)
Bilder aus Osten, Op. 66
Reuig, andächtig, from Bilder aus Osten, Op. 66
Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97, “Archduke”
Im Volkston, from Bilder aus Osten, Op. 66
Lebhaft, from Bilder aus Osten, Op. 66
Lebhaft, from Bilder aus Osten, Op. 66
Nicht schnell und sehr gesangvoll zu spielen, from Bilder aus Osten, Op. 66
Piano Quartet in g minor, Op. 25
Sonata in b minor
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