Brahms paid a very personal tribute to his late friend, Robert Schumann, when he chose Schumann’s final work, the ‘Ghost Variations’, as the basis for his own Variations, Op. 23. We also hear Brahms’ magnificent ‘St Anthony’ Variations inspired by Haydn, which culminate in a passacaglia (a set of variations within the variations): a masterful achievement through which Brahms elevates the form into music of real depth and sophistication.
Saint-Saëns’ Beethoven Variations, based on Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 18 (‘The Hunt’), represent his most substantial work for two pianos, running the gamut of pianistic technique to create an almost orchestral sonority. Reinecke’s Bach Variations are more intimate, building to an expansive, virtuosic conclusion. Lutosławski’s Variations on a Theme by Paganini are based on Paganini’s A minor Caprice, No. 24, which also inspired Rachmaninoff’s famous Rhapsody. Lutosławski unfolds a series of witty variations: wide leaps, devilish trills and sinewy chromaticism, a lyrical i
