Utwory na płycie:

• 9 Variations on a Minuet by Jean-Pierre Duport, K.573 - Theme
• Variation I.
• Variation II.
• Variation III.
• Variation IV.
• Variation V.
• Variation VI.
• Variation VII.
• Variation VIII.
• Variation IX.
• 7 Variations on God Save The King, WoO78 - Theme
• Variation I.
• Variation II.
• Variation III.
• Variation IV.
• Variation V. Con espressione
• Variation VI. Allegro alla marcia
• Variation VII. / Coda. Adagio - Allegro
• 6 Variations on an Original Theme in F major, Op. 34 - Theme. Adagio, cantabile
• Variation I.
• Variation II. Allegro, ma non troppo
• Variation III. Allegretto
• Variation IV. Tempo di Minuet
• Variation V. Marcia. Allgretto
• Variation VII. Allegretto / Coda. [Allegretto] - Adagio molto
• Variations SĂ©rieuses, Op. 54 - Theme: Andante sostenuto
• Variation I.
• Variation II. Un poco piĂą animato
• Variation III. PiĂą animato
• Variation IV.
• Variation V. Agitato
• Variation VI. A tempo
• Variation VII. Con fuoco
• Variation VIII. Allegro vivace
• Variation IX.
• Variation X. Moderato
• Variation XI. Cantabile
• Variation XII. Tempo del Tema
• Variation XIII. Sempre assai leggiero
• Variation XIV. Adagio
• Variation XV. Poco a poco piĂą agitato
• Variation XVI. Allegro vivace
• Variation XVII. / Coda: Presto
• Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann in F-sharp minor, Op. 9 - Thema. Ziemlich langsam
• Variation I. L'istesso tempo
• Variation II. Poco piĂą moto
• Variation III. Tempo di tema
• Variation IV. Poco piĂą moto
• Variation V. Allegro capriccioso
• Variation VI. Allegro
• Variation VII. Andante
• Variation VIII. Andante (non troppo lento)
• Variation IX. Schnell
• Variation X. Poco Adagio
• Variation XI. Un poco piĂą animato
• Variation XII. Allegretto, poco scherzando - Presto
• Variation XIII. Non troppo Presto
• Variation XIV. Andante
• Variation XV. Poco Adagio
• Variation XVI. [Adagio]

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart:
9 Variations on a Minuet by Jean-Pierre Duport, K.573

Ludwig van Beethoven:
7 Variations on ‘God Save the King’, WoO 78
6 Variations on an original theme in F, Op. 34

Felix Mendelssohn:
Variations sérieuses, Op. 54, MWV U 156

Johannes Brahms:
Variations in F sharp minor on a theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 9

Beethoven wrote in his diary that he wanted “to show the British what a treasure they have in God Save the King”, a reference to his set of variations on the national anthem, composed in 1803. Sarah Beth Briggs recorded the virtuoso set precisely one month before the passing of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022, and the recording heralds the coronation of King Charles III in May 2023.

The lesser-known Variations on an Original Theme in F major (1802) represent Beethoven the revolutionary. Uniquely, each variation was written in a different key which would have jarred the ears of the composer’s contemporaries.

Sarah Beth Briggs’ collection of Variations underlines a lineage of the genre through the classical and romantic eras. Opening the programme is 9 Variations on a Minuet by Duport by Mozart, whom Beethoven greatly admired. The work takes a theme by cellist Jean-Pierre Duport, chamber music director of the court of the Prussian King, Friedrich Wilhelm II, from whom the composer hoped to gain favour. Mendelssohn’s Variations Serieuses was written as a tribute to Beethoven, and was included in an album of works that raised funds for the now famous bronze statue of Beethoven in Bonn. Mendelssohn’s near contemporary Brahms paid tribute to his troubled friend Robert Schumann, using a melody from Bunte Blätter (“Colourful Leaves”) in his poignant Variations on a Theme by Schumann.

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Recorded: 8–10 August 2022, Wyastone Leys, Monmouth, UK. Piano: Wyastone Steinway model D tuned by Gavin Crooks.