Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Piano Experiments

C茅dric Tiberghien performs five sets of variations by Beethoven and works by three 20th-century American experimentalists: Cage, Crumb and Feldman.

Beethoven鈥檚 piano variations are a continuous thread which run through the whole of his composing life. The five sets of variations in C茅dric Tiberghien鈥檚 recital, from the earliest period in Beethoven鈥檚 career, brilliantly show what Beethoven could already do with a simple theme.

Tiberghien has chosen to intersperse Beethoven鈥檚 variations with music by 20th century American experimentalists. It鈥檚 a fitting tribute: Beethoven was, after all, one of the most forward-thinking figures in all music, constantly trying out what could be achieved by pushing the limits of instruments, especially his own, the piano.

And like Beethoven, these 20th-century composers are striving to discover new ways of writing for the piano: from the chance elements of John Cage鈥檚 7 Haiku, to the haunting beauty of George Crumb鈥檚 Processional, which lets the pianist choose from alternative passages in the score.

Recorded last month at Wigmore Hall and presented by Georgia Mann.

Beethoven: 5 Variations on 'Rule Britannia' in D, WoO 79
Feldman: Last Pieces
Beethoven: 6 Variations on an Original Theme in G, WoO 77
Cage: 7 Haiku
Beethoven: 9 Variations on a March by Dressler in C minor, WoO 63

INTERVAL

Crumb: Processional
Beethoven: 12 Variations on 'Menuet 脿 la Vigan貌' from Haibel鈥檚 Le nozze disturbate in C, WoO 68
Cage: In a Landscape
Beethoven: 7 Variations on 'God save the King' in C, WoO 78

C茅dric Tiberghien (piano)

2 hours, 28 minutes

Last on

Tue 3 Mar 2020 19:30
成人快手 Radio 3

More episodes

Previous

Total Immersion: Anders Hillborg

Next

Beethoven Unleashed: Missa solemnis

See all episodes from Radio 3 in Concert

Recipes

See all recipes from Piano Experiments

Music Played

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    5 Variations on 'Rule Britannia' in D WoO. 79

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Morton Feldman

    Last Pieces

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    6 Variations on an Original Theme in G WoO.77

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • John Cage

    7 Haiku

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    9 Variations on a March by Dressler in C minor WoO. 63

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Charles Ives

    Variations on "America"

    Orchestrator: William Schuman. Orchestra: Boston Pops Orchestra. Conductor: Arthur Fiedler.
    • Deutsche Grammophon.

  • George Crumb

    Processional

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    12 Variations on 'Menuet 脿 la Vigan貌' from Haibel's Le nozze disturbate in C WoO

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • John Cage

    In a Landscape

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    7 Variations on 'God save the King' in C WoO. 78

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Aria from Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

    Performer: C茅dric Tiberghien.

  • Ludwig van Beethoven

    String Quartet in C sharp minor, Op 131

    Ensemble: Juilliard String Quartet.
    • CBS.

  • Isaac Alb茅niz

    Iberia Book 4 (Eritana)

    Performer: Alicia de Larrocha.
    • Albeniz: Iberia; Navarra; Suite Espanola - Larrocha.
    • Decca.
    • 3.

Broadcast

  • Tue 3 Mar 2020 19:30
    成人快手 Radio 3

Featured in...