Diversions for piano (left hand) and orchestra
Encyclopedia
Diversions for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 21, is a concertante music composition by Benjamin Britten
. Britten wrote the work for the Viennese-born pianist
Paul Wittgenstein
, who lost his right arm in World War I
. Britten met Wittgenstein in New York in July 1940 and sketched the piece in August at Owl's Head, Maine
. Although Wittgenstein complained about the orchestration, Britten declined to make any changes. In spite of this situation, Wittegenstein retained the performing rights for a good number of years, which kept other pianists from performing the work.
Wittgenstein played the premiere of Diversions with the Philadelphia Orchestra
under the baton of Eugene Ormandy
on 16 January 1942. The Philadelphia reviewers commented more on Wittgenstein and his work as a one-armed pianist than on the composition itself. The Philadelphia Record
did describe the score as "ingeniously written", while Musical America commented on the presence of both "pleasurable and dull moments" in the work.
The piece is in the form of a theme and 11 variations:
Britten utilised music that he wrote for a production of J. B. Priestley
's Johnson over Jordan as source material for the work. Lyn Henderson has noted the influence of Prokofiev
-like rhythms in Variation IXa. Christopher Mark has discussed Britten's use of the circle of fifths
in various works, including the Diversions.
Benjamin Britten
Edward Benjamin Britten, Baron Britten, OM CH was an English composer, conductor, and pianist. He showed talent from an early age, and first came to public attention with the a cappella choral work A Boy Was Born in 1934. With the premiere of his opera Peter Grimes in 1945, he leapt to...
. Britten wrote the work for the Viennese-born pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
Paul Wittgenstein
Paul Wittgenstein
Paul Wittgenstein was an Austrian-born concert pianist, who became known for his ability to play with just his left hand, after he lost his right arm during the First World War. He devised novel techniques, including pedal and hand-movement combinations, that allowed him to play chords previously...
, who lost his right arm in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. Britten met Wittgenstein in New York in July 1940 and sketched the piece in August at Owl's Head, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
. Although Wittgenstein complained about the orchestration, Britten declined to make any changes. In spite of this situation, Wittegenstein retained the performing rights for a good number of years, which kept other pianists from performing the work.
Wittgenstein played the premiere of Diversions with the Philadelphia Orchestra
Philadelphia Orchestra
The Philadelphia Orchestra is a symphony orchestra based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. One of the "Big Five" American orchestras, it was founded in 1900...
under the baton of Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy
Eugene Ormandy was a Hungarian-born conductor and violinist.-Early life:Born Jenő Blau in Budapest, Hungary, Ormandy began studying violin at the Royal National Hungarian Academy of Music at the age of five...
on 16 January 1942. The Philadelphia reviewers commented more on Wittgenstein and his work as a one-armed pianist than on the composition itself. The Philadelphia Record
The Philadelphia Record
The Philadelphia Record was a daily newspaper published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1877 until 1947. The Record was founded in 1877 as a one-cent daily newspaper...
did describe the score as "ingeniously written", while Musical America commented on the presence of both "pleasurable and dull moments" in the work.
The piece is in the form of a theme and 11 variations:
- Theme
- Variation I, Recitative
- Variation II, Romance
- Variation III, March
- Variation IV, Rubato
- Variation V, Chorale
- Variation VI, Nocturne
- Variation VII, Badinerie
- Variation VIII, Ritmico
- Variation IXa, Toccata I
- Variation IXb, Toccata II
- Variation X, Adagio
- Variation XI, Tarantella.
Britten utilised music that he wrote for a production of J. B. Priestley
J. B. Priestley
John Boynton Priestley, OM , known as J. B. Priestley, was an English novelist, playwright and broadcaster. He published 26 novels, notably The Good Companions , as well as numerous dramas such as An Inspector Calls...
's Johnson over Jordan as source material for the work. Lyn Henderson has noted the influence of Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor who mastered numerous musical genres and is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century...
-like rhythms in Variation IXa. Christopher Mark has discussed Britten's use of the circle of fifths
Circle of fifths
In music theory, the circle of fifths shows the relationships among the 12 tones of the chromatic scale, their corresponding key signatures, and the associated major and minor keys...
in various works, including the Diversions.
Recordings
- Decca LXT 2981 (original LP): Julius KatchenJulius KatchenJulius Katchen was an American concert pianist, possibly best known for his recordings of Johannes Brahms's solo piano compositions.-Early career:...
, pianist; London Symphony OrchestraLondon Symphony OrchestraThe London Symphony Orchestra is a major orchestra of the United Kingdom, as well as one of the best-known orchestras in the world. Since 1982, the LSO has been based in London's Barbican Centre.-History:...
; Benjamin Britten, conductor - Desto Records DC-7168 (original LP): Leon FleisherLeon FleisherLeon Fleisher is an American pianist and conductor.-Early life and studies:Fleisher was born in San Francisco, where he started studying the piano at age four...
, pianist; Baltimore Symphony OrchestraBaltimore Symphony OrchestraThe Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a professional American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland.In September 2007, Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra’s twelfth music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra.The BSO Board...
; Sergiu ComissionaSergiu ComissionaSergiu Comissiona was a Romanian conductor and violinist.-Early life:...
, conductor - EMI Classics: Peter Donohoe, pianist; City of Birmingham Symphony OrchestraCity of Birmingham Symphony OrchestraThe City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra is a British orchestra based in Birmingham, England. The Orchestra's current chief executive, appointed in 1999, is Stephen Maddock...
; Sir Simon RattleSimon RattleSir Simon Denis Rattle, CBE is an English conductor. He rose to international prominence as conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and since 2002 has been principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic ....
, conductor