Guest post by pianist Beth Levin

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Theme – Andante grazioso

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Upward, Upward! leaving the ground and ordinary life behind, a steady bass line in 6/8 but flexible, sforzandi mere pin pricks; a statement of simplicity, of purity

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Variation I

Sixteenths everywhere now, a driving bass line 2- note slurs, 3-note slurs, stark contrasts between piano and forte, between delicate and fierce

Search for a “piano” that would dissolve angel’s wings, a “forte” that would march into a battle of toy soldiers

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Variation II

A treble of trills and fast notes, supported by a flow of triplets in the bass

Harmonically true to the Theme, but expanding in time and temperament

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Variation III

We’re in A minor!

The sound, again – so important to create in it the poignancy of this darker atmosphere with long legato lines under slurs

Think of a mourning dove or the velvety petals of a pansy

Think of anything you can to enter this world of sad beauty

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Variation IV

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The return to A major is glorious here with almost no time taken between movements

You gauge!

Hand crossing from bass to a soaring treble gives a physical sense of being airborne

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Variation V

Adagio

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The melody speaks in fat, round droplets of notes over an accompaniment written in 32nds, perhaps to keep the music alive despite its slowness

Sforzando/piani on certain downbeats continue the almost Beethovenesque strength of dynamic markings

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Variation VI Allegro

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Following a soulful Adagio this movement sets us free. It’s jaunty, jubilant, energetic

Grace notes add playfulness, strong 16ths in forte again speak like Beethoven

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Menuetto and Trio

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We can dance to this tempo – no need to rush; gracefulness prevails and while we’ve traveled far away from the opening, a gossamer cord can pull us back at any moment

Every form of contrast exists inside this small variation: dark/light/ forte/piano/ tragedy/light-heartedness

He’s Bergman one moment and Hitchcock the next!

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Allegrino Alla Turco

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We’ve heard it all our lives. But forget that if you can: this music is new and filled with wonder – a wild dance! Measure 12 is a beautiful spot when Major turns to minor. When life turns to death- but just for a moment

Overall there is an ecstatic feel, a sense of arrival and of triumph!

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Beth Levin performs in the UK this month and next: