by Isaak Koh

The Diabelli Variations must be the most well-known set of keyboard variations after Bach's Goldbergs. In 1819, Anton Diabelli, a composer and publisher of piano music for children, wrote a simple waltz and invited the 50 most famous composers of the time to contribute a variation of it. Among those asked were Franz Schubert, Franz Liszt and Beethoven himself, who thought poorly of the waltz and simply ignored the entire enterprise. However, the mercurial composer changed his mind quickly, and submitted 23 variations to Diabelli, adding a further nine four years later. The contributions of the other 49 composers are today largely forgotten, but Beethoven's 32 variations are still regarded as a work of compositional genius.

Beethoven took the seed of Diabelli's waltz and spun out a profound document of his own wit and craft. The work runs the gamut of emotions from the comic to the solemn, from virtuoso presdigitation to ethereal sparseness. Beethoven mercilessly made fun of material that musicians of the time would instantly recognize, such as Cramer's Piano Method and his five-finger exercises and an aria from Mozart's opera Don Giovanni. Beethoven even parodies Diabelli's theme in Variation No. 21, but he pays sincere tribute to Bach's fugal writing in Variation No. 24.

The early variations stay close to the basic form of the theme, but Beethoven is willing to experiment and try radical things in the later variations. The original waltz is transformed into far-ranging forms, such as a German dance in Nos. 15, 25 and 28. Beethoven also reflects upon his own work, the closing variations being closely related to his last piano sonatas. Taken as a whole, the work is clear testimony of Beethoven's limitless variety and inspiration. It is an essential part of the music collection of every student of the piano.

Although there are many good recordings of the "Dire belly" by Brendel (Philips), Kindermann (Hyperion) and Donohoe (EMI), the disc that offers outstanding value is the Frith. Joint first prize winner of the 1989 Artur Rubenstein International Piano Master Competition, Benjamin Frith plays with confidence and panache. From the playful first variation to the last forte, Frith has a clear sense of direction, and consistently conveys the true spirit of the work, may it be humour or profundity. The piano sounds realistic and is well-recorded in a slightly reverberant acoustic.

Coupled with a well-played 32 Variations on an original theme and at budget price, this CD is one of the great bargains of the catalogue. Admirers of great piano playing must pick this up.

Beethoven Joy, Bright spark of Divinity Daughter of Elysium. Fiery inspired we tread Your Celestial Sanctuary. Your magic reunites All that custom has divided. All Men become as Brothers Under the sway of your gentle wings.

The Beethoven Mystique 9 Symphonies (Karajan 1963) 9 Symphonies (Wand) 9 Symphonies (Hanover Band) 9 Symphonies (Zinman) Piano Variations (Frith) Piano Variations (Scherbakov) Piano Concerti (Lill) Piano Concerti Nos.1 & 2 (Uchida) Violin Concerto (Menuhin) Violin Concerto (Milstein) Cello Sonatas (Wispelwey)

This disc is available at, or can be ordered from, Tower (Pacific Plaza), HMV (The Heeren) or Sing Music (Raffles City).

Isaak Koh is a great admirer of great piano playing and budget CDs. He thinks that Lance Henriksen of Millenium is very cool.

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