DAILY DOSE of BEETHOVEN (August 27, 2020)
We have sampled some of the first 20 of Beethoven's variations on Diabelli's theme. Today, rather than proceed in a linear order, we will examine how Beethoven brings in the entirety of musical history, as the variations become an all-encompassing, universal composition.
1. Mozart
We hear the influence of Mozart everywhere, but the most direct quote is Variation 22, which adjusts the bass motive "C" into an unmistakable reference to the "Notte e giorno faticar" Aria from Mozart's Don Giovanni. In that aria, Leporello insists that he slaves night and day for one who does not appreciate it, and expresses that he does not wish to be a servant. Among other things, this could be Beethoven's gentle remonstrance to Diabelli, who was pressuring him to finish the work.
Here is Leporello's short song:
https://youtu.be/Iom3VYVZiMU
and here is Variation 22:
https://youtu.be/ND0vNUGySSg
2. Cramer:
Beethoven was not above making fun of his contemporaries. J.B. Cramer, like Czerny, wrote mundane finger exercises for pianists.
Here is Cramer's selected Piano Studies Number One:
https://youtu.be/314jTwXFWqk
and here is Variation 23, which appears like a parody of Cramer:
https://youtu.be/uBVp9T0gA1E
3. Bach.
Beethoven, for the first time introduces fugal writing in variation 24, marked “fughetta”. It invokes Bach's organ music.
Here is Bach's BWV 687: "In times of need, i cry unto Thee":
https://youtu.be/Qeyz6MaOU2g
and here is Variation 24:
https://youtu.be/RYN9BDZzCA8
4. Handel: Variation 32, the great double, even triple fugue, starts out like Handel.
Here is Variation 32 of Beethoven:
https://youtu.be/5sIBkhOjnxM
and here is a double fugue by Handel:
https://soundcloud.com/user-216951281/handel-double-fugue
