Anton DIABELLI, Austrian composers (1781-1858), pianist and teacher, was also an editor of music.

In 1819, he asked many composers to write variations on a waltz of his composition. Beethoven found the theme lacked interest; nevertheless he set to, the irregular way to his work which was to be played in June 1823 at published the same year.

The variations are in C major, except for numbers 9, 29 and 32, which are in C minor.

The 33 variations on a waltz theme of Diabelli, opus 120:

• Theme vivace: waltz theme of a mild character 0'53

• Variation no. 1 alla marcia maestosa: the theme is transformed into a voluntary march 1'53

• Variation no. 2 poco allegro: a type of subtle scherzo 0'54

• Variation no. 3 l'istesso tempo: mysterious 1'33

• Variation no. 4 un poco piu vivace: harmonic amplification of the variation 1'02

• Variation no. 5 allegro vivace: very free variation 0'59

• Variation no. 6 allegro ma non troppo e serioso: variation on 2 hands on the start of the theme 1'56

• Variation no. 7 un poco piu allegro: elongation of the theme; voluntary 1'14

• Variation no. 8 poco vivace: lyrical 1'30

• Variation no. 9 allegro pesante e resoluto: short and leaping 1'48

• Variation no. 10 presto: a type of scherzo 0'39

• Variation no. 11 allegretto: poetic variation on the start of the theme 1'28

• Variation no. 12 un poco piu mosso: based on the quaver figure heard in the bass 0'59

• Variation no. 13 vivace: whimsical and full of surprises 1'05

• Variation no. 14 grave e maestoso: mysterious, questioning (quite long) 6'20

• Variation no. 15 presto scherzando: graceful 0'38

• Variation no. 16 allegro: courageous variation 0'59

• Variation no. 17 [allegro]: inversion, a quarter of the speed of the preceding variation 1'03

• Variation no. 18 poco moderato: tranquil 2'18

• Variation no. 19 presto: with contrapuntal development 1'02

• Variation no. 20 andante: strange chords in organ play 2'56

• Variation no. 21 allegro con brio: rhythmic, with trills, leaping intervals 1'35

• Variation no. 22 molto allegro )notto e giorno faticar...): humorous quote of the start of Don Giovanni 0'52

• Variation no. 23 allegro assai: wild 0'52

• Variation no. 24 fughetta: andante: calm and serene interlude; four voice fugue (Bach) 3'45

• Variation no. 25 allegro: dancing character (passepied) 0'48

• Variation no. 26 piacevole (whimsical): alternating rhythm 1'06

• Variation no. 27 vivace: in triplets 1'03

• Variation no. 28 allegro: rough staccato 1'02

• Variation no. 29 adagio ma non troppo: character of a prelude 1'18

• Variation no. 30 andante sempre cantabile: a great calm 3'13

• Variation no. 31 largo molto espressivo: a type of aria (or arietta), the longest of the variations 6'33

• Variation no. 32 fuga (allegro): double fugue of 4 voices, peak of the work 3'43

• Variation no. 33 tempo di menuetto, moderato: minuet full of grace. 3'52

Timings after the version performed by Piotr ANDERSZEWSKI

This work is readily available on CD. Here you can find some performances on the internet, new or second hand:

Available in the USA

Available in the UK

Available in France

Available in Germany

• Piotr ANDERSZEWSKI - There is also a great but rare DVD version

• Claudio ARRAU

• Daniel BARENBOIM

• Alfred BRENDEL

• Rudolf BUCHBINDER

• Stephen KOVACEVICH

• Anton KUERTI

• Michael LEVINAS

• George PLUDERMACHER

• Maurizio POLLINI

• Sviatoslav RICHTER

• Rudolf SERKIN

• Artur SCHNABEL

• Grigory SOKOLOV

• Daniel VARSANO

• Elisabeth WESTENHOLZ

• and many more by many other pianists ...

Beethoven's 33 variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli are known under the title 'Opus 120'.

Anton Diabelli, composer, professor of music and editor, produced a light, simple theme in 1819, for variation by all whom Vienna counted as composers.

Beethoven's 33 variations became the object of a special collection. It was only in 1824 that the variations of the 50 composers were edited.

Only by looking at the CD do we already know that it will be a very special CD. We have a first confirmation while reading the 173 pages of the ‘booklet’ (half in English, the other half in Portuguese). The second clue comes from the mention ‘played on a piano with historical tuning’.

And, last but not least, one can have the pleasure to listen to 17 sketches left by Beethoven. Marco Alcantara's interpretation shows the talent of a great artist.

The musical interpretation of the Diabelli Variations, the sketches, the extensive booklet and the historical tuning make of this CD into a very special gift

Sui Generis - 2006

This wonderful double CD presents not only a great interpretation of the Diabelli Variations played by the pianist William Kinderman but also a lecture made by the Professor William Kinderman. Both CD are of great quality.

The pianist expresses the variations with an important variety of colors, and his touch is both strong and delicate.

The lecturer tells us about the creation of the variations, Beethoven’s work of composition and research, and illustrates his speech with musical examples. It is a great pleasure to listen to William Kinderman showing us the path to Beethoven’s music.

Alfred Brendel use to say about Kinderman: ‘A very rare bird’!

Paul Komen performs the 33 Variations of Diabelli and the Bagatelles opus 126 on the Conrad Graf of the Beethoven-Haus Bonn.

Paul Komen brings feeling and mystery to the work and exploits the pianoforte with clarity and finesse.

A recording to keep for amateurs of early pianos.

WDR 3 - Ars Musici - 2004
Paul Komen

This recording is particularly special because the Diabelli Variations are performed on a piano which has been tuned in the same way that pianos were tuned in Beethoven's day.

Susan Halligan, with the help of Paul List, inteprets this work faithfully and with life. And the sound is not at all spoiled. There is a commentary, at the end of the cd which compares the period piano and the modern day version.

Here are the 33 variations of Uri Caine on the 33 variations of Beethoven on a theme by Diabelli.

On listening attentively, one can discover that the arrangements and improvisations are sometimes symphonic, sometimes a bit jazzy, sometimes intimate.

Respectful of Beethoven's work, which certain variations recall to life, this curiosity has a place in your CD collection.

In 1971, Michel Butor wrote the Dialogue with 33 variations of Ludwig van Beethoven on a waltz by Diabelli. Nine years later, Michel Butor met the pianist Jean-François Heisser. Together they present a lecture-concert.

In 1999, Jean-François Heisser recorded the Diabelli Variations. The disc inspired a new text by Michel Butor (in French): The deaf castle…

Actes Sud - 1 book and 1 cd - 220 pages - 2001 - ISBN: 2-7427-3491-0.