Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) wrote this for Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein a pianist who had lost his right arm in World War I. This LP, featuring Julius Katchen (1926-1969) , is the first LP recording of the work.
Interestingly, the work was composed during World War II (1940) when both men were living in the US. Wittgenstein demanded changes in the orchestration that Britten reluctantly made. Britten later revised the orchestration to the version heard here.
The work begins with a theme followed by 12 variations.
Theme
Var. 1 (Recitative)
Var. 2 (Romance)
Var. 3 (March)
Var. 4 (Arabesque)
Var. 5 (Chant)
Var. 6 (Nocturne)
Var. 7 (Badinerie)
Var. 8 (Burlesque)
Var. 9 (Toccata 1)
Var. 10 (Toccata II)
Var. 11 (Adagio)
Var. 12 (Tarantella)
Details:
Album title: Britten: Sinfonia Da Requiem / Diversions For Piano (Left Hand) And Orchestra, Released by: London Records L-1123
Year released: 1954
Pianist: Julius Katchen
Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra
Conductor: Benjamin Britten
source
You are the coolest kid on the block. Thanks. 😎
I’ve never cared much for the left hand piano works….the Ravel leaves me rather bored….but this is of a much higher order altogether. I’d never heard it before and what an interesting work it is! Britten still amazes me to this day. New discoveries.