BaL 17.06.2017 - Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 12-06-17, 12:22

Thanks for this, silve - a perfectly healthy but indisposed Alpie didn't have time to do his usual astonishing work, and I was girding my loins (never a pretty sight) to do a listless (literally) "prefab Thread", but you've saved me the job

I have Schnabel, Bishop and/or Kovacevich, and the rather splendid Frith (for my money the best living British pianist - and certainly the best by far with the forename Benjamin) - and the Brautigam is high on my wish-list.

A life-affirming work, I shall look forward tremendously to hearing Iain Burnside's (solo - hurrah!) discussion of the work available recordings.

BBC Radio 3 - Record Review, Andrew McGregor with Iain Burnside and Elin Manahan Thomas

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08v8lz5

Andrew McGregor and guests review the best recordings of classical music.

**vinteuil** · 12-06-17, 12:35

.

... very much looking forward to this.

Currently I would tend to listen to Brautigam, Levit, Gulda, Staier, Kovacevich.

Hope he also considers

Sokolov
Demus
Battersby
Mustonen
Solchany
Brendel
Richter

**Bryn** · 12-06-17, 13:02

I could list the recordings I have, but as it would probably by nearly as long as anything EA might have provided, I will refrain from doing so. One of my very most favourite works by any composer. Best of luck to Iain Burnside. Let's hope it does not on the day turn out to be a 'twofer'. The Demus has a special place in my affections as the first recording I heard of the work played on a fortepiano.

**Barbirollians** · 12-06-17, 13:07

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

I could list the recordings I have, but as it would probably by nearly as long as anything EA might have provided, I will refrain from doing so. One of my very most favourite works by any composer. Best of luck to Iain Burnside. Let's hope it does not on the day turn out to be a 'twofer'. The Demus has a special place in my affections as the first recording I heard of the work played on a fortepiano.

Richter once on Philips now on Alto I think .

Brendel and Kivacevich for me.

**pastoralguy** · 12-06-17, 13:11

We were lucky enough to hear Mitsuko Uchida play The Diabelli Variations in the Usher Hall a couple of years ago. I got the opportunity to ask her if she intended to record them. She replied 'Maybe one day. Who knows?!'

Kinda cryptic.

**verismissimo** · 12-06-17, 13:11

I've had Brendel (Vox and Philips) for very many years, and more recently Paul Lewis.

But which of those HIPP versions you recommend should I go for, vints?

**vinteuil** · 12-06-17, 13:12

.

... amazon have a couple of hundred worth considerin'

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_18?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=beethoven+diabelli+variations&sprefix=beethoven+diabelli%2Caps%2C160&crid=3C2BVDXZK0OUD

**Pianoman** · 12-06-17, 13:13

Kindermann, Frith, Anderszewski and Brautigam for me - no doubt that Ronald's gets the most outings by some margin these days..

**vinteuil** · 12-06-17, 13:16

Originally posted by verismissimo View Post

... which of those HIPP versions you recommend should I go for, vints?

... well the Brautigam and the Staier can be got for about a tenner each - you should of course get both...

**Bryn** · 12-06-17, 13:17

Originally posted by Barbirollians View Post

Richter once on Philips now on Alto I think .

Brendel and Kivacevich for me.

Fine, but which of their respective recordings?

Staier is great fun, but bit too wayward for a library choice. Brautigam I found a tad prosaic. Komen is good, but probably out of print. Like Battersby, Schiff offers both modern and historic instrument performances.

**Richard Tarleton** · 12-06-17, 13:18

Brendel (Vox) and Kovacevich (Philips 1968 reissued 1990 - he would still have been plain old Stephen Bishop then) here, joined recently by Paul Lewis in a version I much admire. Like so many above, a favourite work. My first live was an astonishing performance in Oxford Town Hall by Daniel Chorzempa (better known as an organist) in 1969.

**Bryn** · 12-06-17, 13:21

Originally posted by vinteuil View Post

.

... amazon have a couple of hundred worth considerin'

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...=3C2BVDXZK0OUD

A good many of which are alternative issues of the same recording.

**vinteuil** · 12-06-17, 13:24

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

A good many of which are alternative issues of the same recording.

... yes, I know - but I thought I might try and be helpful by showing what was available

**vinteuil** · 12-06-17, 14:36

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

Komen is good, but probably out of print..

... thanks for the nudge - I think some sellers still have it : I have put in an order -

http://amzn.eu/7Me6LRt

.

BaL 17.06.2017 - Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

BaL 17.06.2017 - Beethoven: Diabelli Variations

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