Piano Variations

[joaosousa]

Hey! Could you recommend (to listen to and eventually play) me some piano variations (preferably from the romantic period)? Like Kosenko's Passacaglia, Alkan's Le Festin d'Esope or Rachmaninoff's Varations on Theme Corelli.

Thank you!

[rubinsteinmad]

Hey! Could you recommend (to listen to and eventually play) me some piano variations (preferably from the romantic period)? Like Kosenko's Passacaglia, Alkan's Le Festin d'Esope or Rachmaninoff's Varations on Theme Corelli.

Thank you!

I recommend Chopin-Ekier Don Juan Variations
and Liszt- Don Juan Fantasia (it has a set of Variations on La Cirem da Mano)
and the Abegg Variations (its a bit easier than the others you listed though.)
Also, Brahms' Op. 35, Book II is pretty cool.

If you want more "obscure" music, try Lyapunov's Variations on a Georgian Theme. Beautiful.

[joaosousa]

Thank you, I'll check those out!

[rubinsteinmad]

Oh, and I also like La Clochette Fantasia by Liszt. It's an Introduction, a Set of Variations, and a Finale.

If you want something more famous, then see the Symphonic Variations by Schumann, or the Ballade (in the form of Variations) by Grieg. Personally, I do not like them, but many people do.

[joaosousa]

Thank you, again!

[visitor]

These are almost always ignored. Actually shocking how little they seem to be studies. I think they are really cool. Almost schubert like in spots

[visitor]

These are std lit and super great. My fav y
Y.e.s.  plays

[goldentone]

I believe it is Brendel who said Beethoven's Diabelli Variations are the finest, not just for Variations, but in all of piano literature.

[reiofsun]

The Mendelssohn Variations Serieuses are quite wonderful as well!

[pjaul]

I second the Mendelssohn^!!

Also, Busoni's transcription of Bach's violin Chaconne in D minor.

Rachmaninoff variations on a theme of Chopin.

[briansaddleback]

Other than a few variations by Beethoven, I find the they are really tiresome. Especially when the repeated motif or theme is one that is not interesting at all in the first place. Then you're in hell, if you have to listen to another 25 minutes or so of that theme in varied ways.

I recently went to a concert where the pianist had the Schumann variations and not ever hearing them before, I was curious, but found myself dead asleep after a few minutes and awakened by applause 30 minutes later.

[visitor]

I actually think the best examples of these are from periods other than romantic and impressionist. The coolest actually seem to pop up w the neo classicists od the 20th c.
Oh well there are a few cool examples from romantic tradition kids too
Ie

[visitor]

always loved this thing. crazy super difficult but wow

[ahinton]

Maybe check out AIR-CD-9021 on https://www.altarusrecords.com/AltarusMainCatalogue.html . . .

Best,

Alistair