Authentic Instrument mp3s - Diabelli Variations Op.120

[atserriotserri]

I've been listening to the variations I downloaded from the web, relistened to a Barenboim recording of his youth... and I must say that I prefer largely the fragments posted on the web than the same variations on the record (Thanks!). I have very few records by Barenmboim as pianist and I consider him overestimated.

[jhaubrich]

... now available ... should unfortunately
read ... NOT available ...
I get a very strange page that files are
lost and some servers are down. Too bad.

[Rod]

Originally posted by jhaubrich:
... now available ... should unfortunately
read ... NOT available ...
I get a very strange page that files are
lost and some servers are down. Too bad.

My server is having 'temporary issues' but should be ok soon, keep trying. I if things don't get back to normal I'll post some new links here in this chain.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin



[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 04-28-2006).]

[Rod]

Originally posted by atserriotserri:
I've been listening to the variations I downloaded from the web, relistened to a Barenboim recording of his youth... and I must say that I prefer largely the fragments posted on the web than the same variations on the record (Thanks!). I have very few records by Barenmboim as pianist and I consider him overestimated.

The fortepiano is much better for the job, that's why it sounds better. I agree Barenboim is overrated as a pianist.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[Sorrano]

Originally posted by atserriotserri:
I've been listening to the variations I downloaded from the web, relistened to a Barenboim recording of his youth... and I must say that I prefer largely the fragments posted on the web than the same variations on the record (Thanks!). I have very few records by Barenmboim as pianist and I consider him overestimated.

That makes me feel much better in respect to some Chopin Nocturnes that he had recorded. I could not listen to the last few on the album since I did not feel that he was playing dynamically according to the music.

[Rod]

Originally posted by jhaubrich:
... now available ... should unfortunately
read ... NOT available ...
I get a very strange page that files are
lost and some servers are down. Too bad.

try again at the page and let me know.



[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 04-28-2006).]

[Rod]

Originally posted by Rod:
try again at the page and let me know.

[This message has been edited by Rod (edited 04-28-2006).]

Still getting trouble with two of the tracks, but If you right click on the image and 'save as' they should download correctly.

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"If I were but of noble birth..." - Rod Corkin

[atserriotserri]

Rod, I agree with you that part of the preference is caused by the instrument.
Sorrano, I agree with you too, I listened to some Chopin pieces played by Barenboim (some nocturnes and valses) some time ago and I just remember that I disliked them, as simple as that. My brother bought me his recent recording of the 1st book of the well-tempered clavier and I'm still wondering what he's trying to transmit, or where is he going.

[Michael]

I am celebrating my grandson's first birthday, so bear with me - I have had too much wine!
I love Beethoven in variation mode! I have every variation he wrote on CD - whether they are stand-alone variations or incorporated into sonatas, quartets, whatever! But the one single work I have trouble with is the Diabelli! I must have heard them a hundred times but I cannot get a handle on them! ( No pun intended regarding Rod's second-favourite composer!)
I adore the C minor variations (can't remember the opus number as I am sloshed)
The best advice I can recall on listening to the Diablellis is by Alfred Brendel. He said to forget that they were a set of variations and listen to them as if they were a series of bagatelles!
I am not completely deaf to this work - the last third of the set must be the most sublime piano music ever written - but the work as a whole must be my most problematical Beethoven composition! (Thank God for spell check!)
As I am in a mood of cofession, I must admit that the only other work I have trouble with is the Archduke Trio! This also contains a great variation movement but I have trouble with the whole work! I admit this but that's another story! I worship all the other piano trios! Two out of six hundred isn't bad but if Peter and Chris feel I should resign from the forum, I will accept their judgement!
However, as I regard Rod and Peter as the foremost experts on Beethoven's piano music, I ask them what should I do about the Diabelli's?
Michael
P.s. I have tried grand piano and pianoforte versions! I don't dislike the Diabellis - I just can't get behind them, man !
It is my grandson's birthday, so please excuse my ramblings ........

[Peter]

Originally posted by Michael:
I am celebrating my grandson's first birthday, so bear with me - I have had too much wine!
I love Beethoven in variation mode! I have every variation he wrote on CD - whether they are stand-alone variations or incorporated into sonatas, quartets, whatever! But the one single work I have trouble with is the Diabelli! I must have heard them a hundred times but I cannot get a handle on them! ( No pun intended regarding Rod's second-favourite composer!)
I adore the C minor variations (can't remember the opus number as I am sloshed)
The best advice I can recall on listening to the Diablellis is by Alfred Brendel. He said to forget that they were a set of variations and listen to them as if they were a series of bagatelles!
I am not completely deaf to this work - the last third of the set must be the most sublime piano music ever written - but the work as a whole must be my most problematical Beethoven composition! (Thank God for spell check!)
As I am in a mood of cofession, I must admit that the only other work I have trouble with is the Archduke Trio! This also contains a great variation movement but I have trouble with the whole work! I admit this but that's another story! I worship all the other piano trios! Two out of six hundred isn't bad but if Peter and Chris feel I should resign from the forum, I will accept their judgement!
However, as I regard Rod and Peter as the foremost experts on Beethoven's piano music, I ask them what should I do about the Diabelli's?
Michael
P.s. I have tried grand piano and pianoforte versions! I don't dislike the Diabellis - I just can't get behind them, man !
It is my grandson's birthday, so please excuse my ramblings ........

Happy Birthday Michael's grandson! I'm surpised at your difficulty with the Archduke trio which is such a lyrical work, my favourite amongst Beethoven piano trios. The Diabelli is more understandable as they are very demanding on player and listener and I'll admit that I prefer the late sonatas even though I recognise the supreme achievement of these variations. This could be because I don't consider myself capable of playing them and that annoys me intensely!

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'Man know thyself'

[Michael]

Originally posted by Peter:
This could be because I don't consider myself capable of playing them and that annoys me intensely!

Imagine how I must feel then when I can't even read the notation! I agree with you that there are some grounds for having problems with the Diabellis - but the "Archduke", for God's sake! I don't dislike the work but it has never moved me to the same extent as B's other big works.I recorded a brilliant lecture on this piece from the BBC last year and it did open up my ears a bit more.
Anyway, I am going to listen to it again today (for the ninety-somethingth time) and maybe this could be the big breakthrough.

Michael