Beethoven - Diabelli Variations, Op. 120 [Grigory Sokolov]

33 Variations on a Waltz by Anton Diabelli, Op. 120 (1819-23) [33 Veränderungen über einen Walzer von Diabelli, Opus 120] Tema: Vivace [0:10] Variation 1: Alla marcia maestoso [1:10] Variation 2: Poco allegro [3:38] Variation 3: L’istesso tempo [4:33] Variation 4: Un poco più vivace [6:26] Variation 5: Allegro vivace [7:52] Variation 6: Allegro ma non troppo e serioso [9:07] Variation 7: Un poco più allegro [10:51] Variation 8: Poco vivace [11:58] Variation 9: Allegro pesante e risoluto [13:40] Variation 10: Presto [16:00] Variation 11: Allegretto [16:32] Variation 12: Un poco più moto [17:52] Variation 13: Vivace [18:41] Variation 14: Grave e maestoso [19:54] Variation 15: Presto scherzando [24:24] Variation 16: Allegro [25:02] Variation 17 [26:02] Variation 18: Poco moderato [26:59] Variation 19: Presto [28:58] Variation 20: Andante [29:45] Variation 21: Allegro con brio [32:24] Variation 22: Allegro molto alla “Notte e giorno faticar“ di Mozart [33:46] Variation 23: Allegro assai [34:31] Variation 24: Fughetta. Andante [35:28] Variation 25: Allegro [38:37] Variation 26 [39:38] Variation 27: Vivace [40:51] Variation 28: Allegro [41:48] Variation 29: Adagio ma non troppo [42:42] Variation 30: Andante, sempre cantabile [43:57] Variation 31: Largo, molto espressivo [46:01] Variation 32: Fuga. Allegro [51:42] Variation 33: Tempo di Minuetto moderato (aber nicht schleppend) [55:17] This work is a large-scale set of variations for solo piano by German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). The main theme is based on a simple waltz composed by the Austrian music publisher and composer Anton Diabelli (1781-1858). The harmonic, rhythmic, textural and structural development that Beethoven applies to the waltz theme is simply astounding. In this 1985 live performance (St. Petersburg), the Russian pianist Grigory Sokolov does justice to Beethoven’s work of genius.