GaySA Radio About Music

about Music Programme 91. Schumann, Liszt, and Rachmaninov Variations Programme description

Loading player...
I am going to repeat two items that we heard last week, the two sets of variations by Liszt and Rachmaninov on a theme of Paganini, to reinforce the variation techniques as used in the Romantic period. Then I will fill out our programme with more music of Schumann, the Theme and Variations on the name “Abegg”, and the Andante & Variations for 2 Pianos, 2 Cellos & Horn.

We also start with Schumann today: the piece Widmung, or Dedication. It was a wedding gift to his wife, the pianist Clara Wieck , when they were married on September 12th 1840. This piece is a special kind of variation, as it was originally for voice, but Liszt took the melody and reworked it for a wonderful piano solo.
26 Mar English South Africa Music · Music History

Other recent episodes

about Music Programme 92. Brahms Variations

about Music Programme 92. Brahms Variations: Programme description Brahms, as arguably the closest follower of Beethoven in the Romantic period, wrote many sets of variations as did Beethoven. Today we listen to his variations on themes of Paganini, Schumann, and Haydn, including the first set of Variations written for orchestra…
6 Apr 1 hr 12 min

Programme 90 Liszt and Rachmaninov Variations on a theme of Paganini.

As an appetizer for today, we listen to Rachmaninov’s Prelude in G minor. In today’s programme there are another three works. Two major items and then another shorter work to conclude. The first big work is Rachmaninov’s Variations on a theme of Paganini. Then we hear Liszt's "Variations on a…
24 Mar 1 hour

Programme 89: Beethoven and Brahms Variations. Programme

Today we are continuing our exploration of the influence of Beethoven on later composers, especially Brahms, by listening to some compositions of each, which are in the popular category of Theme and Variations. Three sets are by Beethoven, based on God Save the King, Rule Britannia, and one of his…
17 Mar 1 hour

about Music: The Art of Listening Programme 88. Beethoven and Schumann Variations.

Beethoven’s Piano Variations and Fugue in E-flat major, Op. 35 (also known as the “Eroica” Variations) and Schumann’s Symphonic Etudes, Op. 13 are two of the most ambitious variation sets of the 19th century. While both works are built on variation techniques, they approach form, texture, and thematic development in…
2 Mar 59 min
All episodes