Brahms - Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op.56b by Zion Pe Montebon and Hanting Peng скачать в хорошем качестве

Brahms - Variations on a Theme by Haydn Op.56b by Zion Pe Montebon and Hanting Peng

Johannes Brahms was a German pianist and composer of the eighteenth century. He was an influential figure of the Romantic period, championing the German tradition of music making. The Variations on a Theme by Haydn was composed in the summer of 1873 in Bavaria. The tune comes from the St. Antoni Chorale, often attributed to Joseph Haydn and is followed by eight character variations and a finale. Brahms also wrote an orchestral version, which eventually became popular and is considered one of the first individual variation works for orchestra. Its success eventually led him to write more orchestral music. The theme is introduced by both pianos in what is a grand but warm entrance. The tempo falls back at Variation I with a duple melody accompanied by a countering wave of triplets. An energetic Variation II introduces the theme transformed with sharp rhythms in the parallel minor. Variation III then calms down and returns to the major mode, with the theme gracefully spread across and supported by quavers. A melancholic Variation IV again moves to the minor mode, projecting a deep sentimental and reminiscent feeling eventually ending at the abyss. Out of nowhere, cheerful and playful quavers give Variation V a Scherzo-like feeling as it dashes through carefree. Variation VI then marches in with heroic fashion, maintaining an energetic but a serious character. Swaying back and forth, Variation VII gracefully enters, therapeutically giving peace to one’s soul. Then, Variation VIII storms through with slithering cascades of challenging running notes. The finale opens with ringing B flats, as if one were taking an elegant stroll with a limousine. Deceiving triplets follow eventually adventuring once again to minor, with a sense of uncertainty. All finally returns to the original theme, this time more grand and eloquent, and finally concluded with powerful runs of tonic and dominant chords. Brahms is considered a master of the variation form. This piece highlights his mastery of contrapuntal writing as he maximizes the German way of music. From a simple tune of five bar phrases, he managed to transform to become rich and complex. Zion Pe Montebon, First Piano Hanting Peng, Second Piano