Beethoven's "Diabelli Variations" (Studies in musical genesis & structure) - Hardcover

Kinderman, William

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0193153238 ISBN 13: 9780193153233

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1987

Synopsis

Beethoven's "Thirty-Three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli", his longest, most complex piece for piano, stands beside the "Ninth Symphony", the "Missa Solemnis", and the late quartets as one of the monumental achievements of his last period. William Kinderman's study of the compositional origins is the first extended study of the sketches. In contrast to earlier views of its chronology, he shows that it was begun in 1819, then put aside, to be resumed in 1822-23. By exploring the sketches in the context of Beethoven's other works of this time, the books shows how he transforms, parodies, and ultimately transcends Diabelli's commonplace waltz in a fascinating series of historical allusions to other composers in the final variations. The author's investigation sheds light on Beethoven's working methods, on the structure of the finished work, and ultimately on the nature of the creative process itself.

About this title

Review:

Praise for William Kinderman's recording of the Diabelli Variations: "The most outstanding Diabelli Variations to have appeared in age"--The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs
"As a scholar-performer Kinderman can be said to command the field at the moment."--Gramophone
"A solid and detailed study....There is much of interest here for scholars and inquisitive performers alike, and the book is recommended for graduate libraries and strong undergraduate collections."--Choice
"William Kinderman is a very rare bird. His book on Beethoven's Diabelli Variations must be one of the best monographs a musical masterpiece has ever received."--Alfred Brendel
"Yields valuable information and provocative commentary that should fascinate a wide audience....Greatly enhances an understanding of the Diabelli Variations."--The Beethoven Newsletter
Praise for William Kinderman's recording of the Diabelli Variations: "The most outstanding Diabelli Variations to have appeared in age"--The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs
"As a scholar-performer Kinderman can be said to command the field at the moment."--Gramophone
"A solid and detailed study....There is much of interest here for scholars and inquisitive performers alike, and the book is recommended for graduate libraries and strong undergraduate collections."--Choice
"William Kinderman is a very rare bird. His book on Beethoven's Diabelli Variations must be one of the best monographs a musical masterpiece has ever received."--Alfred Brendel
"Yields valuable information and provocative commentary that should fascinate a wide audience....Greatly enhances an understanding of the Diabelli Variations."--The Beethoven Newsletter
Praise for William Kinderman's recording of the Diabelli Variations: "The most outstanding Diabelli Variations to have appeared in age"--The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs
"As a scholar-performer Kinderman can be said to command the field at the moment."--Gramophone
"A solid and detailed study....There is much of interest here for scholars and inquisitive performers alike, and the book is recommended for graduate libraries and strong undergraduate collections."--Choice
"William Kinderman is a very rare bird. His book on Beethoven's Diabelli Variations must be one of the best monographs a musical masterpiece has ever received."--Alfred Brendel
"Yields valuable information and provocative commentary that should fascinate a wide audience....Greatly enhances an understanding of the Diabelli Variations."--The Beethoven Newsletter

About the Author:

William Kinderman is Professor of Music at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His books include Beethoven (OUP, 1995), Ataria 195: Beethoven's Sketchbook for the Missa solemnis and the Piano Sonata in E Major, Opus 109, and Mozart's Piano Music (OUP, 2006), and he has written or edited numerous works on many other composers and pieces. An outstanding pianist, Kinderman has recorded Beethoven's Diabelli Variations and the last sonatas for Hyperion / Helios records; his acclaimed studio recording of the Diabelli Variations has recently been reissued together with a live lecture recital as a double CD on Arietta Records.

About this edition

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0193153238
• ISBN 13: 9780193153233
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240