GaySA Radio About Music

about Music Programme 91. Schumann, Liszt, and Rachmaninov Variations Programme description

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I am going to repeat two items that we heard last week, the two sets of variations by Liszt and Rachmaninov on a theme of Paganini, to reinforce the variation techniques as used in the Romantic period. Then I will fill out our programme with more music of Schumann, the Theme and Variations on the name “Abegg”, and the Andante & Variations for 2 Pianos, 2 Cellos & Horn.

We also start with Schumann today: the piece Widmung, or Dedication. It was a wedding gift to his wife, the pianist Clara Wieck , when they were married on September 12th 1840. This piece is a special kind of variation, as it was originally for voice, but Liszt took the melody and reworked it for a wonderful piano solo.
26 Mar 2025 English South Africa Music · Music History

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