A colossal finding! | Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

classical music: Beethoven: Diabelli Variations | Ludwig van Beethoven

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	• Beethoven: Diabelli Variations Ludwig van Beethoven Decca, 2009 average customer review:based on 2 reviews view larger image
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Wonderful recording

I ran across Julius Katchen's recording of the Diabelli Variations in a record store in Santa Cruz in 1970 and bought it on a whim . . . soon I fell in love with these pieces and played them nearly every day for months. Eventually I lost the record, and in recent years I've often wondered if it really was as beautiful as I remembered it. I have Rudolf Serkin's CD of the Diabelli Variations, and it always seemed as though something was missing. When I discovered that the Katchen recording had been issued on CD, I bought it immediately. If anything, it was even better than I remembered it. In comparison Serkin sounds mechanical and plodding; Katchen's touch is simply magical, and his interpretation profound. Not only that, but in my excitement to buy the Katchen CD, I didn't even notice that the Opus 111 Piano Sonata is included. And Katchen's treatment of Opus 111 is absolutely marvelous as well.

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A colossal finding!

Considering the artistic status of the egregious pianism of Julius Katchen around Brahms' piano music, I didn't doubt just a bit at the moment to buy this album, because among other virtues, Katchen was probably, the most European of the North American pianists.

But believe me, I never thought the enormous satisfaction and enjoyable surprise. Katchen made one the most impressive readings about the Diabelli variations I have never listened throughout my life. There's an organic fluidity, a careful phrasing, but above all these virtues, a cosmic approach and handle of the contrapuntal lines without ostentation or cheap exhibitionism.

The Polonaise op. 89 was played with superb good taste. But the surprise was majuscule at the moment to listen the sonata No. 32 Op. 111. What approach! what sense of the fugue as expressive device. He really explores with unequalled honesty the mysterious and cosmic mood that surrounds this unique work; the fingering of the cantabile lines, the accurate articulation and tonal balance makes of this interpretation one of the most successful performances ever recorded.

Don't miss this phenomenal album.

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Acclaimed series of historic re-issues showcasing the legendary crown jewels of Decca's catalog. Offered with direct-from-master transfers at a super-budget price. Distinctively designed packages showcase recordings that are regularly recognized as the benchmark standard to which all others are compared. Featuring Erich Kleiber, Georg Solti, Lisa della Casa, Giuseppe di Stefano, George London, Cesare Siepi, Julius Katchen and many others

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Tracks
Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Tema: Vivace | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 1: Alla marcia maestoso | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 2: Poco allegro | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 3: L'istesso tempo | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 4: Un poco più vivace | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 5: Allegro vivace | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 6: Allegro ma non troppo e s | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 7: Un poco più allegro | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 8: Poco vivace | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 9: Allegro pesante e risolut | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 10: Presto | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 11: Allegretto | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 12: Un poco più moto | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 13: Vivace | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 14: Grave e maestoso | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 15: Presto scherzando | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 16: Allegro | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 17: Allegro | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 18: Poco moderato | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 19: Presto | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 20: Andante | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 21: Allegro con brio - Meno | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 22: Allegro molto (alla 'Not | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 23: Allegro assai | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 24: Fughetta: Andante | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 25: Allegro | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 26: Piacevole | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 27: Vivace | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 28: Allegro | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 29: Adagio ma non troppo | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 30: Andante, sempre cantabil | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 31: Largo, molto espressivo | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 32: Fuga: Allegro | Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Variation 33: Tempo di minuetto modera | Polonaise for piano in C major, Op. 89 | Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: 1. Maestoso - Allegro con brio ed appassionato | Piano Sonata No. 32 in C minor, Op. 111: 2. Arietta: Adagio molto semplice e cantabile