Diabelli Variations

[Rod]

Originally posted by PDG:
It's interesting that when writing the Diabelli Variations, LvB drew on a study by Archduke Rudolph, which consisted of 40 variations on a Beethoven theme. This was published in 1819, with a dedication to LvB. Does anyone know this work? Does anyone know of any other pieces which were dedicated to Beethoven?

Liszt composed a ridiculous cantata in honour of Beethoven.

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

[Michael]

Originally posted by Rod:
Liszt composed a ridiculous cantata in honour of Beethoven.

A recording of that has just been issued. Part of it (it's in four movements) uses the slow movement of the Archduke Trio, set to the words: "Heil, heil, Beethoven, heil".
On that evidence alone, it sounds pretty grim. It's full title is "Cantata for the Inauguration of the Beethoven Monument" (Bonn 1845).
BBC Music Magazine describes it as an early, occasional piece - and something you would want to hear only occasionally.
Has anybody heard this? I am sure it must have been recorded before.

Michael

[Peter]

Originally posted by Rod:
Liszt composed a ridiculous cantata in honour of Beethoven.

At least he was doing something positive to help raise funds for the Beethoven monument!

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'Man know thyself'

[Michael]

Originally posted by Peter:
At least he was doing something positive to help raise funds for the Beethoven monument!

I gladly would have contributed but nobody approached me.

Michael

[Serge]

I've heard of that Liszt work, but never actually heard it. Liszt is a pretty fine composer; why would his Beethoven offering be "ridiculous" or something worth listening to only occasionally? Is it a bad piece?

[Peter]

Originally posted by Serge:
I've heard of that Liszt work, but never actually heard it. Liszt is a pretty fine composer; why would his Beethoven offering be "ridiculous" or something worth listening to only occasionally? Is it a bad piece?

I haven't heard it either Serge, but Liszt was not a consistent composer - he could turn out some fine music (Totentanz for example, which is streets ahead of his piano concertos), but he also wrote a lot of mediocre stuff.

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'Man know thyself'

[Claudie MICAULT]

Going through the whole life of LISZT, we must remind us that he was more a pianist- composer than an orchestra specialist (as Chopin). He spent a while travelling, giving concerts, writing (not only music), teaching and helping others to become famous (a certain WAGNER...). And he fought quite a lot to get a ceremony for B. and the BONN's statue, paying almost the all fuss from his own pocket. Just for that, and also for several pieces as "Après une lecture de Dante" (well played of course)etc, he won his place in the best musicians.
After all he gave plenty of good lessons to a lot of pianists who then could give us an idea of B.s own technic : LISZT beeing a student of CZERNY himself a student of B....
Yes, LISZT wrote some "uninteresting music" for specialists, but the public love that : see the reaction of the majority to the "Préludes"... And he also wrote good things....

[PDG]

Good points, Claudie. Liszt was such a huge fan of Beethoven that if he were alive today, I'm sure he'd be a regular contributor to this forum! Strange how Liszt, Brahms, Wagner(?) Mendelssohn & Schubert were all so intimidated by the towering genius of LvB; strange in that although geniuses themselves, his legacy seems to have haunted all of them to their graves.