András Schiff – Beethoven: Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120 (2013) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

András Schiff – Beethoven: Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120 (2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 02:29:32 minutes | 1,18 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © ECM New Series

Following his monumental exploration of the 32 Sonatas, András Schiff has now recorded – on two period instruments – remarkable, contrasting versions of the Diabelli Variations alongside major late works with intrinsic ties to them. The Sonata Op. 111 and the Diabelli Variations (Disc 1) are played on an original Bechstein grand from 1921, and the second reading of the Diabelli Variations, (paired with the op. 126 Bagatelles on Disc 2) on a Hammerflügel fortepiano from Beethoven’s own day. This gives listeners a unique opportunity to compare the rich range of these highly contrasting sonic universes, a world apart from modern day instruments. Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations are considered a magnum opus of the piano repertoire, a towering contribution to the genre and an entire Encyclopedia of pianism.

ECM New Series is better known for its documentation of contemporary works, but the music of the past sometimes receives coverage when artists bring a new perspective to it. The Diabelli Variations, Op. 120; the Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111; and the Six Bagatelles, Op. 126, are among the most original and intellectually stimulating works Ludwig van Beethoven composed for the piano, and the sophisticated interpretations of András Schiff are especially worthwhile for their insights into authentic performance practice and reception. Here, Schiff gives the listener options between a relatively modern sounding version of the Diabelli Variations and a period interpretation, without favoring one or the other. On the first CD he plays the Sonata and the Diabelli Variations on a Bechstein piano from 1921, though with minimal pedaling and a restrained execution that allows every inner voice and subtle dynamic to be appreciated. While this piano is not as hard or bright sounding as a modern Steinway, it is familiar to modern ears and most listeners will readily accept it. On the second CD, Schiff plays the Diabelli Variations, along with the Six Bagatelles, on a smaller sounding Franz Brodmann fortepiano, an original instrument from around 1820, Beethoven’s time period. While it sometimes sounds tinnier, the fortepiano is in wonderful condition, and by Schiff’s own testimony, it “sounds fresher, bolder, and infinitely more subtle.” This side-by-side demonstration allows comparisons between the two instruments, and to consider other differences. One need not choose one recording over the other, but Schiff’s exceptional performances would certainly inform such a decision, if one had to be made.

Tracklist:

1-01. András Schiff – Sonate Nr. 32 in C Moll, Op. 111: I. Maestoso – Allegro con brio ed appassionato (Bechstein piano) (08:54)
1-02. András Schiff – Sonate Nr. 32 in C Moll, Op. 111: II. Arietta. Adagio molto et cantabile (Bechstein piano) (17:30)
1-03. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Thema. Vivace (Bechstein piano) (00:45)
1-04. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. I. Alla marcia maestoso (Bechstein piano) (01:38)
1-05. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. II. Poco allegro (Bechstein piano) (00:48)
1-06. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. III. L’Istesso tempo (Bechstein piano) (01:20)
1-07. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. IV. Un poco più vivace (Bechstein piano) (00:59)
1-08. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. V. Allegro vivace (Bechstein piano) (00:58)
1-09. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. VI. Allegro ma non troppo e serioso (Bechstein piano) (01:35)
1-10. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var.VII. Un poco più allegro (Bechstein piano) (01:08)
1-11. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. VIII. Poco vivace (Bechstein piano) (01:28)
1-12. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. IX. Allegro pesante e risoluto (Bechstein piano) (01:52)
1-13. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. X. Presto (Bechstein piano) (00:41)
1-14. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XI. Allegretto (Bechstein piano) (01:09)
1-15. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XII. Un poco più moto (Bechstein piano) (01:00)
1-16. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XIII. Vivace (Bechstein piano) (01:11)
1-17. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XIV. Grave e maestoso (Bechstein piano) (03:34)
1-18. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XV. Presto scherzando (Bechstein piano) (00:37)
1-19. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XVI. Allegro (Bechstein piano) (01:02)
1-20. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XVII (Bechstein piano) (01:03)
1-21. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XVIII. Poco moderato (Bechstein piano) (01:35)
1-22. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XIX. Presto (Bechstein piano) (00:58)
1-23. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XX. Andante (Bechstein piano) (01:43)
1-24. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXI. Allegro con brio (Bechstein piano) (01:09)
1-25. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXII. Allegro molto (Bechstein piano) (00:38)
1-26. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXIII. Allegro assai (Bechstein piano) (00:55)
1-27. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXIV. Fughetta. Andante (Bechstein piano) (02:32)
1-28. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXV. Allegro (Bechstein piano) (00:52)
1-29. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXVI (Bechstein piano) (01:28)
1-30. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXVII. Vivace (Bechstein piano) (01:01)
1-31. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXVIII. Allegro (Bechstein piano) (01:05)
1-32. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXIX. Adagio ma non troppo (Bechstein piano) (01:09)
1-33. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXX. Andante, sempre cantabile (Bechstein piano) (01:46)
1-34. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXXI. Largo molto, espressivo (Bechstein piano) (04:31)
1-35. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXXII. Fuga. Allegro – Poco adagio (Bechstein piano) (02:53)
1-36. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXXIII. Tempo di Menuetto moderato (Bechstein piano) (04:12)
2-01. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Thema. Vivace (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:48)
2-02. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. I. Alla marcia maestoso (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:39)
2-03. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. II. Poco allegro (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:54)
2-04. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. III. L’Istesso tempo (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:25)
2-05. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. IV. Un poco più vivace (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:01)
2-06. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. V. Allegro vivace (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:59)
2-07. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. VI. Allegro ma non troppo e serioso (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:40)
2-08. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var.VII. Un poco più allegro (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:13)
2-09. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. VIII. Poco vivace (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:31)
2-10. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. IX. Allegro pesante e risoluto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:56)
2-11. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. X. Presto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:44)
2-12. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XI. Allegretto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:07)
2-13. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XII. Un poco più moto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:05)
2-14. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XIII. Vivace (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:12)
2-15. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XIV. Grave e maestoso (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (03:31)
2-16. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XV. Presto scherzando (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:39)
2-17. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XVI. Allegro (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:02)
2-18. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XVII (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:09)
2-19. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XVIII. Poco moderato (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:40)
2-20. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XIX. Presto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:59)
2-21. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XX. Andante (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:49)
2-22. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXI. Allegro con brio (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:10)
2-23. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXII. Allegro molto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:43)
2-24. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXIII. Allegro assai (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:58)
2-25. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXIV. Fughetta. Andante (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (02:34)
2-26. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXV. Allegro (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (00:53)
2-27. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXVI (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:29)
2-28. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXVII. Vivace (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:04)
2-29. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXVIII. Allegro (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:12)
2-30. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXIX. Adagio ma non troppo (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:11)
2-31. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXX. Andante, sempre cantabile (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (01:57)
2-32. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXXI. Largo molto, espressivo (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (04:30)
2-33. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXXII. Fuga. Allegro – Poco adagio (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (03:01)
2-34. András Schiff – Diabelli-Variationen, Op. 120: Var. XXXIII. Tempo di Menuetto moderato (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (04:17)
2-35. András Schiff – Sechs Bagatellen, Op. 126: I. Andante con moto cantabile e compiacevole (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (02:54)
2-36. András Schiff – Sechs Bagatellen, Op. 126: II. Allegro (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (02:56)
2-37. András Schiff – Sechs Bagatellen, Op. 126: III. Andante cantabile e grazioso (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (02:23)
2-38. András Schiff – Sechs Bagatellen, Op. 126: IV. Presto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (03:44)
2-39. András Schiff – Sechs Bagatellen, Op. 126: V. Quasi Allegretto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (02:16)
2-40. András Schiff – Sechs Bagatellen, Op. 126: VI. Presto – Andante amabile e con moto (Franz Brodmann fortepiano) (04:01)

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