What does this mean, Herr Korstick: "Beethoven Cycle Vol. 1?" Why does Vol. 1 of a cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas start with the Diabelli Variations, the composer's final, epic work for the piano written after his last sonata? And why does Vol. 1 of a cycle of Beethoven also include Haydn's Variations in F minor, the composer's final, tragic farewell to his last love? In the notes, you refer to the Diabelli Variations as "the quintessence of Beethoven," but starting after the end is odd, and including Haydn's Variations ...
Read More
What does this mean, Herr Korstick: "Beethoven Cycle Vol. 1?" Why does Vol. 1 of a cycle of Beethoven's piano sonatas start with the Diabelli Variations, the composer's final, epic work for the piano written after his last sonata? And why does Vol. 1 of a cycle of Beethoven also include Haydn's Variations in F minor, the composer's final, tragic farewell to his last love? In the notes, you refer to the Diabelli Variations as "the quintessence of Beethoven," but starting after the end is odd, and including Haydn's Variations is simply a mystery.Ah, yes, by playing the disc, the listener grasps your meaning. Through the subtlety of tone, lucidity of rhetoric, transparency of balances, intensity of concentration, and, above all, the humor, intellect, warmth, strength, and spirit of your performance, your interpretation of the Diabelli does touch what could aptly be called the quintessence of Beethoven. In your performance, the listener understands that the Diabelli Variations, as Beethoven's ultimate...
Read Less