“Cinque Variazioni” is a colorful and imaginative work by the great Italian composer Luciano Berio (1925-2003). Written in 1954 and revised in 1966, it is dedicated to another important Italian composer of the 20th century: Luigi Dallapiccola. Berio approaches the idea of theme and variations in this piece with a combination of rigor and flexibility. The musical material of the entire work is derived from a twelve tone row that functions as the theme (appearing in lieu of a traditional theme immediately at the beginning of the first variation); and yet the work unfolds with great freedom and fantasy. The variations are arranged as an arch: starting very quietly, slowly and mysteriously, then gradually gathering energy and intensity before releasing the accumulated tension and returning in the coda to the sound world and mood of the opening. The main focus throughout is on the vivid variety of characters and textures. To my ear, there is something almost Beethovenian in these variations: in the focused intensity of expression and in the uncompromising conviction behind the music.Benjamin Hochman
Classical Music | Piano Music
Luciano Berio
Cinque Variazioni Play
Recorded on 02/26/2014, uploaded on 07/29/2014
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
“Cinque Variazioni” is a colorful and imaginative work by the great Italian composer Luciano Berio (1925-2003). Written in 1954 and revised in 1966, it is dedicated to another important Italian composer of the 20th century: Luigi Dallapiccola. Berio approaches the idea of theme and variations in this piece with a combination of rigor and flexibility. The musical material of the entire work is derived from a twelve tone row that functions as the theme (appearing in lieu of a traditional theme immediately at the beginning of the first variation); and yet the work unfolds with great freedom and fantasy. The variations are arranged as an arch: starting very quietly, slowly and mysteriously, then gradually gathering energy and intensity before releasing the accumulated tension and returning in the coda to the sound world and mood of the opening. The main focus throughout is on the vivid variety of characters and textures. To my ear, there is something almost Beethovenian in these variations: in the focused intensity of expression and in the uncompromising conviction behind the music. Benjamin Hochman
More music by Luciano Berio
Sequenza III
Sequenza IV, for piano
Sinfonia, 1st movement
Sequenza IXa for clarinet
Chemins IV
O King
Performances by same musician(s)
Intermezzo in e minor, Op. 116, No. 5, from Seven Fantasies
Capriccio in d minor, Op 116, No. 7, from Seven Fantasies
Seven Fantasies
The Dance, from Bagatelles
Proclamation, from Bagatelles
Spontaneous Songs, from Bagatelles
Bagatelles
Capriccio in d minor, Op. 116, No. 1, from Seven Fantasies
Intermezzo in a minor, Op. 116, No. 2, from Seven Fantasies
Capriccio in g minor, Op. 116, No. 3, from Seven Fantasies
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