CDK Music

Thirty-Three Variations on the theme of a Waltz in C major by A. Diabelli, Op. 120 is one of Beethoven's most remarkable works, the culmination of a long evolution of structure in variation in his music. This work was written in 1819 - 1823. It appeared in response to the invitation of Anton Diabelli, a Viennese publisher and composer, to fifty Austrian composers to write one variation each on a theme of his waltz in order to publish them in collected works as one cycle.
Beethoven, who was among these composers, refused to take part in a collective work and wrote a separate cycle of 33 variations which was brought out in 1823. Written at the time of Beethoven's work on Missa Solemnis and the 9th Symphony, the Thirty-Three Variations are an excellent example of late Beethovenian style and one of the most remarkable treatments of variation form. The unsophisticated theme of Diabelli's waltz in the spirit of an unpretentious Austrian landler was developed by Beethoven's inexhaustible fantasy in a cycle which is grandiose both in its scope and variety of moods.

Thema. Vivace

Variations
I. Alla Marcia maestoso

II. Poco Allegro

III. L'istesso tempo

IV. Un poco piu vivace

V. Allegro vivace

VI. Allegro, ma non troppo e serioso

VII. Un poco piu Allegro

VIII. Poco vivace

IX. Allegro pesante e risoluto

X. Presto

XI. Allegretto