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The Variations stands at the beginning of Lyapunov’s final creative period, which is marked by less spectacular writing and wanton brilliance, increasingly compact harmonies and even greater technical difficulties. A folk theme in the unusual 5/4 metre is soberly stated in the D-sharp Aeolian mode. Despite their complexity, the variations that follow never give in to spectacular runs and ornaments in the Lisztian sense and are limited to the classical development of the melody, or of fragments such as the descending scale taken from the theme’s opening bar. Particularly noteworthy are the second variation with its minuscule homophonic chord jumps; the third for its uninterrupted motion of the inner voice; the imitations in the fourth variation; and a group of variations modulating poetically into the relative key of F-sharp major. The final fugue is what it should be: a demonstration of compositional craftsmanship every bit as impressive as the fugue that concludes Brahms’ Handel Variations, to which it seems to extend a fraternal salute. (Naxos Music Library) Please take note that the audio AND the sheet music ARE NOT mine. Change the quality to a minimum of 480p if the video is blurry. Original audio: (Performance by: Marco Rapetti) Original sheet music:
