Daniel Barenboim has said that Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations “are not actually variations, but rather 33 mutations”. This epic, multi-faceted work presents daunting technical and formal challenges to the pianist, but, praising Barenboim’s interpretation in 1990 – the year before this recording was made – The New York Times wrote that “it was actually possible to hear the greatness in the work that all commentators describe, but that in most performances must be taken on faith.”
