Grigory Sokolov - Diabelli Variations (33 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Grigory Sokolov
Diabelli Variations
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (33) - Disc #1
1. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Thema Vivace
2. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 1 Alla Marcia Maestoso
3. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 2 Poco Allegro
4. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 3 L'Istesso Tempo
5. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 4 Un Poco Pi? Vivace
6. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var.5 Allegro Vivace
7. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 6 Allegro Ma Non Troppo E Serioso
8. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 7 Un Poco Pi? Allegro
9. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 8 Poco Vivace
10. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 9 Allegro Pesante E Risoluto
11. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 10 Presto
12. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 11 Allegretto
13. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 12 Un Poco Pi? Moto
14. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 13 Vivace
15. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 14 Grave E Maestoso
16. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 15 Presto Scherzando
17. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 16 Allegro/Var. 17
18. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 18 Poco Moderato
19. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 19 Presto
20. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 20 Andante
21. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 21 Allegro Con Brio (Alla Notte E
22. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 22 Allegro Molto
23. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 23 Allegro Assai
24. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 24 Fughetta: Andante
25. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 25 Allegro
26. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 26
27. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 27 Vivace
28. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 28 Allegro
29. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 29 Adagio Ma Non Troppo
30. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 30 Andante, Sempre Cantabile
31. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 31 Largo, Molto Espressivo
32. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 32 Fuga: Allegro
33. Variations (33) on a waltz by Diabelli, for piano in C major ('Diabelli Variations'), Op. 120: Var. 33 Tempo Di Menuetto Moderato

CD Details

All Artists: Grigory Sokolov
Title: Diabelli Variations
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Opus 111
Release Date: 12/3/1993
Genre: Classical
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 093046459321, 3386700291069, 338670029106

CD Reviews

Romantic Beethoven ...

carol France | 03/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The most romantic and best Beethoven's Diabelli Variations ever heard, played by Grigory Sokolov. It is a live recording with fire and sensitivity.
I never liked the Diabelli Variations nor Beethoven, but I listen to this recording every day, every time with renewed astonishment and admiration.
Dazed, bewildered, I allow myself to voluptuousness, to let myself go without will, to the dizziness of the fall. No confusion, no chaos. Just the beat of my heart, full of inner drunkenness, full of ecstasy. Devastating feeling. Trembling and deeply satisfied.
This pianist makes me forget all the rest. They sound naive, unsophisticated, insensitive, insignificant after Sokolov.
Here are some beautiful reviews to be shared:"Sokolov's performance breaks completely new ground. Sokolov was 35 when he gave this "live" performance in the Glinka Chapel, Leningrad, and his highly Romantic reading is boldly characterised from the opening bars... What follows is an exploration of every poetic and dramatic turn of the score. Sokolov's cadenza is awe-inspiring, and throughout this supreme work, he highlights Beethoven's "operatic" cantabile passages with great eloquence." (CD Review)..."

Beethoven and Sokolov at their very best

WHM | Amsterdam | 04/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"[This CD is available from amazon UK; it is disc no. 1 in Sokolov's Box Set].

The Diabelli Variations (Op. 120) are Beethoven's last major work for the piano. The work went neglected for decades after its publication in 1824 until Hans von Bülow rediscovered it, championing it as the "Mikrokosmos of Beethoven's genius" (as if he had already heard Bartok). "Indeed", he wrote, "the whole world of tone and evolution of musical thought is outlined here, from the most contained contemplation to the most abandoned humor - an unbelievable rich variety". Many will agree that Op. 120 is one of Beethoven's foremost compositions; for sure the greatest set of variations ever written for the piano. Alfred Brendel (who recorded the work three times) even called it "the greatest of all piano works". Yet, unlike the sonatas, the work isn't heard too often in the concert hall.

Grigory Sokolov, winner of the 1966 Tchaikovsky Competition (at age 16), is one of the most formidable and characterful pianists of our time. An uncompromising, awe-inspiring artist, famous in Europe (where he regularly performs) but virtually unknown elsewhere. He is by many considered to be the greatest living pianist. His recordings are sadly few, but there is a great DVD featuring Sokolov in recital (Live in Paris; check out YouTube).

In this live recording from 1985, Sokolov reveals the Diabelli Variations as a daring and supreme masterpiece, with spellbinding, imaginative and colorful playing. Although Sokolov has a slight tendency to self-indulgence and idiosyncrasies here and there, his playing always remains tasteful and affectionate. In the fast variations, Sokolov displays a whirlwind power and intensity reminiscent of that other Russian giant, Sviatoslav Richter. All in all, a great performance on all accounts, magnetic from first to last. The piano sound is full and immediate. Highly recommended!

Overall playing time: 60 minutes.

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