200 Years Diabelli Variations

Featuring

Dina Parakhina
Ludwig van Beethoven
Anton Diabelli

Did you know?

1/7

Performer Biography

Dina Parakhina, the pianist on this recording, is a Russian-born piano professor at the Royal College of Music and a College Fellow, who previously taught at the Central Music School in Moscow and Chetham's School of Music.

Recording & Production

This recording by Dina Parakhina celebrates the 200-year anniversary of Beethoven's Diabelli Variations, a work she first performed in her final recital as a student at the Moscow Conservatory.

Performer Biography

Dina Parakhina toured the Soviet Union and the world as a soloist with Mosconcert, the oldest cultural organization in Moscow, and as a pianist with the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra.

Composition History

Anton Diabelli, an Austrian composer and music publisher, announced the publication of the 'Patriotic Artists' Association' variations in 1824, which included Beethoven's 33 Variations.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Beethoven used Diabelli's simple waltz theme as a 'blank canvas' to create a kaleidoscopic display of different characters, styles, textures, and references to other composers.

Composition History

Diabelli's original plan for the 'Patriotic Artists' Association' was for Beethoven to contribute only one variation, but Beethoven's fascination with the theme led him to compose 33 variations.

Compositional Technique

The Diabelli Variations showcase Beethoven's careful balance of parody and homage, including comedic elements and direct quotations from other composers like Mozart.