Beethoven's Thirty-Three Variations on a Waltz by Diabelli, his longest and most complex piece for piano, stands beside the Ninth Symphony, the Missa Solemnis, and the late quartets as one of the monumental achievements of his last period. In this first extended study of these variations William Kinderman investigates their compositional origins and explores them in the context of Beethoven's other works of this time. kinderman shows how the composer transforms, parodies, and ultimately transends Diabelli's commonplace waltz in a fascinating series of historical allusions to other composers in the final variations. Kinderman's discussion provides considerable insight into Beethoven's working methods and illuminates the structure of the finished work, and ultimately the nature of the creative process itself. This new reissue of Kinderman's classic text includes a free CD of his celebrated recording of Diabelli Variations, described by Andras Schiff as "a very vivid sounding experience".

William Kinderman's profile page

William Kinderman, Professor of Music, University of Victoria.

'Yields valuable information and provocative commentary that should fascinate a wide audience...Greatly enhances an understanding of the Diabelli Variations'. - The Beethoven Newsletter

'masterly insight ... set new standards of applying language to the service of historical musical analysis. A most distinguished volume from what promises to be an excellent series.' Matthew Koumis, Piano Journal

'Kinderman's book is a notable landmark in the study of the Diabelli Variations, and another worthy contribution to the ever-growing literature on Beethoven's sketches.' Music and Letters

'IWilliam Kinderman is a very rare bird. His book on Beethoven's Diabelli Variations must be one of the best monographs a musical masterpiece has ever received' - Alfred Brendel

'a comprehensive study of one of Beethoven's lesser performed piano masterpieces ... a valuable source of information for the Beethoven enthusiast' R C M Magazine

'A solid and detailed study...There is much of interesthere for scholars and inquisitive performers alike, and the book is recommended for graduates libraries and strong undergraduate collections. - Choice

'As a scholar-performer Kinderman can be said to command the field at the moment.'

'one of the best monographs a musical masterpiece has ever received' Alfred Brendel

Praise for William Kinderman's recording of the Diabelli Variations: 'The most outstanding Diabelli Variations to have appeared in ages' - The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs

a fantastically thorough, informative, sometimes revelatory exploration of one of the greatest works in the literature.../ Daniel Stearns, Piano, May-June 1999.