Exploring Theme and Variations

This week is a grand adventure exploring two towering sets of variations, one from Johann Sebastian Bach and one from Ludwig van Beethoven. Our first three episodes will focus on Bach’s work published in 1741, and the title page reads, “A Keyboard exercise, consisting of an ARIA with diverse variations for harpsichord with two manuals and composed for music lovers, for the refreshment of their spirits.” We know this work as the “Goldberg Variations” BWV 988. Exploring Music’s last two episodes of this week will be the 33 variations on a waltz by Anton Diabelli, finished in 1823 and commonly called the “Diabelli Variations.” Bill introduces Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson, alongside the great heroes who made these works as well known as they are today. Our heroes include pianists Alfred Brendel, Mitsuko Uchida, András Schiff, and Rosalyn Tureck.