My favourite composer being played by one of my favourite classical pianists, although sadly I never got around to hearing Alfred Brendel live. The Diabelli Variations opus 120 are simply incredible, Beethoven's imagination is beyond words. And to think he was profoundly deaf at this point and just heard it all inside his head and managed to write it all down for us mere mortals to enjoy 200 years later. Thanks for uploading this.
He played this in Pittsburgh in April of '85. It was the first half of the program. The second half was "Pictures at an Exhibition." Such a monument to the variation form. A great night!
I listened to this piece probably 50 times on my trips from Vermont to NYC, from my starting point in Middlebury to the MacDonald’s in Granville. Every variation reminds me of the scenes I passed by. But now I am retired and won’t go back again. So seeing and hearing Alfred Brendel playing it is a mesmerizing experience. Thanks for screening it for us.
I can't think of a more pleasurable way of spending almost an hour than watching the great Alfred Brendel perform this monumental set of Variations. The theme is really quite a banal one, but absolutely fertile for the sort of treatment Beethoven gives it, and all with a sense of improvisation. There is so much humour in this work as well as profound depth. I love Brendel's facial expressions throughout. Of course, you don't have to listen too carefully to witness Beethoven inventing Brahms, as well as Liszt and Chopin before your very eyes and ears. I love this work as well as Beethoven's Piano repertoire in general, and his entire output. I shall return to this wonderful performance many times. Thanks for posting it.
I will return as well. I agree with your note of his foreshadowing Brahms, Liszt, and Chopin. But also his building on Bach’s Goldberg Variations. This is a fabulous work, indeed!
There are many brilliant recordings of this great work of genius (Kovacevic, Anderszewski), but you can't ignore Brendel. Whatever he performs (and has probably thought very deeply and significantly about) goes to the top rank of any recordings of that work. Live, just goes to prove the music inhabits his soul, as if there was any doubt about the matter. Is it the greatest piano work? By the greatest composer of all time? Let time be the judge. th-cam.com/users/shortsg7u3fz6YOtw
As well as foreshadowing Brahms (Var 8), Liszt, Chopin, Prokofiev (Var 9), even minimalism in places, the musical styles look back as well (Mozart Var 22), Haydn's wit, Bach's polyphony (particularly the 3 minor variations near the end), the whole piece is almost an encyclopedia of music, and possibly the ultimate Desert Island Disc (if you had to choose just one record lasting 60 minutes).
The first movement is my personal favorite even though all are great. I just love the original sound which is why I think Beethoven did all 33 variations.
Not to be 'that guy' but anyone who plays classical music will tell you the same: memorising music is trivial. Even a very bad player can do it - it requires nothing more than time. It would actually be a lot *more* impressive if someone was able to perform to this standard *without* having first memorised the music, because it would mean that they're having to parse musical notation in real time and decide how they're going to play each phrase rather than just hitting 'go' on a preprepared mental script.
Two notable features: 1) Diabelli's rustic waltz is in the end transformed into an elegant 18th-century style minuet; and 2) the work concludes with a surprise forte chord, Beethoven's homage to the comic roots of the Classical style (Charles Rosen).
Fascinating to see the extent to which Brendel has been influenced by the recording of Artur Schnabel. Of course the phrase "great minds think alike" applies here as well...
Yes, and I believe this performance of the London Diabellis was an important time in his life when he deeply explored Beethoven's transcendent late Opus. It was later released on Philips in 1988. I have read that when he played it before an audience he was experiencing a manic high since his son Adrian had just been born in London. The performance is masterful and spirited - especially considering the enormous complexity of the work, that it was taped live in a single take, and with unforgiving close up attention to his hands. Best to him forever; he will be 92 next January! Following him most of my life has been a great privilege; he has given the world some of the finest Beethoven of the age.
ok experts, what am I missing???? I am a non-musician music lover and think to truly appreciate this maybe it helps to play. I love the HammerKlavier and Grosse Fugue and all the late sonatas and quartets but am just at loss here, this is especially perplexing when these are held in such high esteem by many of the greatest interpreters of Beethoven-----any assistance would be appreciated!
Beethoven expands the form of "theme and variations" giving each piece a particular rhythmical, harmonical or structural variation. Plus the 20th is extremely modern
The Diabelli's took me a while as well, but I think what made them click was just coming to appreciate the immense variety--from the childlike and playful to the profoundly spiritual to the supremely emotive to the witty and comedic--Beethoven is able to spin from such a simple and rather banal theme. The other late piano works are more coherent and deeper explorations of specific tones and feelings, but The Diabellis seem to have at least a small piece of every facet of life and humanity reflected somewhere in it. I'd highly recommend following along with the commentary on each variation available on Wikipedia; it will at least give you a roadmap into perhaps Beethoven's richest solo piano work.
My favourite composer being played by one of my favourite classical pianists, although sadly I never got around to hearing Alfred Brendel live. The Diabelli Variations opus 120 are simply incredible, Beethoven's imagination is beyond words. And to think he was profoundly deaf at this point and just heard it all inside his head and managed to write it all down for us mere mortals to enjoy 200 years later. Thanks for uploading this.
He played this in Pittsburgh in April of '85. It was the first half of the program. The second half was "Pictures at an Exhibition." Such a monument to the variation form. A great night!
Monumental performance of the greatest set of variations ever written for the piano.
yes and we are lucky to hear/see/feel it here
This is not just a set of variations. This is a manifesto.
brendel knows he owns this performance and it is unforgetable
I listened to this piece probably 50 times on my trips from Vermont to NYC, from my starting point in Middlebury to the MacDonald’s in Granville. Every variation reminds me of the scenes I passed by. But now I am retired and won’t go back again. So seeing and hearing Alfred Brendel playing it is a mesmerizing experience. Thanks for screening it for us.
I can't think of a more pleasurable way of spending almost an hour than watching the great Alfred Brendel perform this monumental set of Variations. The theme is really quite a banal one, but absolutely fertile for the sort of treatment Beethoven gives it, and all with a sense of improvisation. There is so much humour in this work as well as profound depth. I love Brendel's facial expressions throughout. Of course, you don't have to listen too carefully to witness Beethoven inventing Brahms, as well as Liszt and Chopin before your very eyes and ears. I love this work as well as Beethoven's Piano repertoire in general, and his entire output. I shall return to this wonderful performance many times. Thanks for posting it.
I will return as well. I agree with your note of his foreshadowing Brahms, Liszt, and Chopin. But also his building on Bach’s Goldberg Variations. This is a fabulous work, indeed!
And variation 22 picks up on Mozart.
There are many brilliant recordings of this great work of genius (Kovacevic, Anderszewski), but you can't ignore Brendel. Whatever he performs (and has probably thought very deeply and significantly about) goes to the top rank of any recordings of that work. Live, just goes to prove the music inhabits his soul, as if there was any doubt about the matter. Is it the greatest piano work? By the greatest composer of all time? Let time be the judge. th-cam.com/users/shortsg7u3fz6YOtw
As well as foreshadowing Brahms (Var 8), Liszt, Chopin, Prokofiev (Var 9), even minimalism in places, the musical styles look back as well (Mozart Var 22), Haydn's wit, Bach's polyphony (particularly the 3 minor variations near the end), the whole piece is almost an encyclopedia of music, and possibly the ultimate Desert Island Disc (if you had to choose just one record lasting 60 minutes).
Read while you listen.
Brendel, one of the Greatest.
It's so incredible that he played this as an Encore that night!!!! truly an incredible pianist
A near 1 hour piece as an encore 😳🤯🤯
scholarship and ability on the highest level of music
The first movement is my personal favorite even though all are great. I just love the original sound which is why I think Beethoven did all 33 variations.
Brendel supreme pianist
Superb. I don't even mind the famous "Brendel faces."
Maravilloso Brendel interpretando una de las creaciones más grandes y bellas de la Historia de la Humanidad. Gracias maestro. Danke Lehrer from Spain.
Amazing v. Beethoven and amazing Brendel played them by heart.
So true!!🔥🔥
Not to be 'that guy' but anyone who plays classical music will tell you the same: memorising music is trivial. Even a very bad player can do it - it requires nothing more than time.
It would actually be a lot *more* impressive if someone was able to perform to this standard *without* having first memorised the music, because it would mean that they're having to parse musical notation in real time and decide how they're going to play each phrase rather than just hitting 'go' on a preprepared mental script.
@@AlephNeil I'm a professional pianist and it's not always that easy.
@@MLCflash i'm an amateur pianist and it is ez
And do you see how often he has his eyes closed?
Two notable features: 1) Diabelli's rustic waltz is in the end transformed into an elegant 18th-century style minuet; and 2) the work concludes with a surprise forte chord, Beethoven's homage to the comic roots of the Classical style (Charles Rosen).
Brendel played this set variations since he was 10.
Only 3 comments lol. Superb interpretation btw
Saw him play in the Royal Festival Hall and the prefomance is on a CD
Grande música, grande interpretação;
still wonderful
Fascinating to see the extent to which Brendel has been influenced by the recording of Artur Schnabel. Of course the phrase "great minds think alike" applies here as well...
Influence is what'drives music's evolution.
Qué buena versión.Te pasaste en subirla....Brendel spielt Diabelli Variationen.
Una musica trascendentale...
24-th variation is the best..
43:06 this part is fantastic
I made a string transcription of that variation, check it trough my video if you want
Que nivel de claridad en las variaciones de Brendel
Geniales
Sem partitura tudo de cor ,..😮😮😮
Brendel=Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert, non plus ultra!!
thanks
Royal Fest Hall London 1976 is best bet time/place..
Yes, and I believe this performance of the London Diabellis was an important time in his life when he deeply explored Beethoven's transcendent late Opus. It was later released on Philips in 1988. I have read that when he played it before an audience he was experiencing a manic high since his son Adrian had just been born in London. The performance is masterful and spirited - especially considering the enormous complexity of the work, that it was taped live in a single take, and with unforgiving close up attention to his hands. Best to him forever; he will be 92 next January! Following him most of my life has been a great privilege; he has given the world some of the finest Beethoven of the age.
very modern music
not really... depends which variation
ok experts, what am I missing???? I am a non-musician music lover and think to truly appreciate this maybe it helps to play. I love the HammerKlavier and Grosse Fugue and all the late sonatas and quartets but am just at loss here, this is especially perplexing when these are held in such high esteem by many of the greatest interpreters of Beethoven-----any assistance would be appreciated!
Give it time. It definitely grows on one. Beethoven is reaching beyond human existence here. Relax and enjoy!!
@@robinblankenship9234 thanks Robin, I won't give up
Beethoven expands the form of "theme and variations" giving each piece a particular rhythmical, harmonical or structural variation. Plus the 20th is extremely modern
@@lolllololllo thanks Lorenzo------I'm working on it!
The Diabelli's took me a while as well, but I think what made them click was just coming to appreciate the immense variety--from the childlike and playful to the profoundly spiritual to the supremely emotive to the witty and comedic--Beethoven is able to spin from such a simple and rather banal theme. The other late piano works are more coherent and deeper explorations of specific tones and feelings, but The Diabellis seem to have at least a small piece of every facet of life and humanity reflected somewhere in it. I'd highly recommend following along with the commentary on each variation available on Wikipedia; it will at least give you a roadmap into perhaps Beethoven's richest solo piano work.
Where was this concert held?
Pura forza tedesca!

I agree 100% with all the comments below. Any idea when this was recorded?
Royal Fest Hall London 1976 is best bet time place..
@Norm in Vienna : Japan, but don’t know the year. (The Variations are numbered and described in Japanese at the edge of the screen.)
39:00 pretty jazzy for the early 19th century...
Pity the sound quality is not better.
Pog
End of 24 imitating Bach.
מוקדש לאבי ולרביי. וסיום ב1. פאליק לא קם לתחיה. עם סיום של שבת קודש. ב32 ו33 וגברי ומלכותי ב30 ודנטלי ב31 להשם. ואני בנו ב29 עדין לק"ט.
Hypergekonnt und daher etwas atemlos. Froh zu sein bedarf es wenig....dreimal kommt Beethoven auf das Lied zurück.
deutsche übersetzung