The Diabelli Variations performed live at Beethovensafari 2021 in Helsingborg, Sweden
In 1819, the music publisher Anton Diabelli asked a large group of composers to write one variation each on a waltz. Beethoven submitted not one, but 33, and it is celebrated as perhaps the greatest set of piano variations next to Bach’s “Goldberg Variations.” With relentless imagination, Beethoven turns this simple theme into creations full of beauty, drama and, in fact, mockery.

“The greatest of all piano works”—Alfred Brendel

L.v. Beethoven: 33 variations on a theme by Diabelli

Thema. Vivace
I. Alla Marcia maestoso
II. Poco allegro
III. L’istesso tempo
IV. Un poco più vivace
V. Allegro vivace
VI. Allegro ma non troppo e serioso VII. Un poco piú allegro
VIII. Poco vivace
IX. Allegro pesante e risoluto
X. Presto
XI. Allegretto
XII. Un poco piú moto
XIII. Vivace
XIV. Grave e maestoso
XV. Presto scherzando
XVI – XVII. Allegro
XVIII. Poco moderato
XIX. Presto
XX. Andante
XXI. Allegro con brio – meno allegro
XXII. Allegro molto alla ”Notte e giorno faticar” di Mozart
XXIII. Allegro assai
XXIV. Fughetta – andante
XXV. Allegro
XXVI. Piacevole
XXVII. Vivace
XXVIII. Allegro
XXIX. Adagio ma non troppo
XXX. Andante, sempre cantabile
XXXI. Largo molto – espressivo
XXXII. Fuga – Allegro
XXXIII. Tempo di minuetto moderato