Beethoven - Diabelli Variations [Arrau]
What a wizard Arrau is, he was 82 when he recorded this disc, yet he's so lively he could be 22!, though not as chimerical as Brendel i would say, there's something mischievous about the Diabelli theme, a jaunty little number [a waltz supposedly], and it fuelled in Beethoven a desire to play around with this parent piece, to create equally naughty children, it's only in the latter half of the work that these children grow up and become much more serious and reflective, it's amazing that Arrau can achieve something at an age that i'm more than 30 years away from, there's always a gem lurking unawares in this work, listen carefully, it can pop up in the most unexpectant places.
Claudio Arrau is from Chile, he passed away 21 years ago, lived a good life to 88, and made many a good recording, he recorded this work in 1985, the front cover picture is excellent [by Christian Steiner], showing Arrau standing next to his piano, notice the cravat, Arrau was always very debonair, the lettering is excellent also, the light blue lettering was a great idea.
