Liszt's 'La Campanella' was inspired by Paganini's virtuosity in 1832, leading Liszt to revise the piece four times to become the 'Paganini on the piano'.
Compositional Technique
The Goldberg Variations are built upon a 32-note ground bass, with each of the 30 variations carefully decorated melodically to maintain listener engagement.
Compositional Technique
J.S. Bach's Chaconne, originally a 256-bar work for solo violin, was transcribed by Busoni into an expressive piano masterpiece.
Compositional Technique
In 'La Campanella', the continuous alternating octave notes imitate ringing bells, which can also be interpreted as the beating of a heart, reflecting life's joys and sorrows.
Composition History
Bach's Goldberg Variations were commissioned by Count Hermann Carl von Kaiserling, the Russian ambassador to Saxony, to help him with his insomnia.
Performer Biography
Sachiko Kawamura, the performer, began studying piano at age four, influenced by her mother's love for music and her prenatal care which included listening to Glenn Gould playing J.S. Bach.
You might also enjoy...
Themes and Variations
Liszt: Grandes Etudes de Paganini, R. Schumann: 6 Etudes pour le pianoforte d'après les caprices de Paganini & Brahms: 28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini
Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 (Version for 2 Pianos) - Ritzen: Improvisation on Et incarnatus est
Pierne: Ouvres pour piano
Love in Variations
Busoni: Piano Music, Vol. 2
Franck, Lee, Ravel & Rachmaninov: Works for Piano
Meredith Monk: Piano Songs
Liszt: Concerto Pathétique; Schumann: Andante and Variations; Six studies for pedal piano
Granados: Goyescas & Other Piano Music
the Americanist
Infante, M.: Danse Andalouse / Rachmaninov, S.: 6 Duets / Liszt, F.: Mozart - Reminiscences De Don Juan (Sentimiento)
