Beethoven - 7 Variations on 'God Save the King', WoO 78 (Audio+Sheet) [Cziffra]

György Cziffra, piano

[jmchord]

I didn't even know Beethoven wrote variations on this

[janach]

Beethoven considered this melody a treasure that the British did not appreciate.

[samaritan]

RIP Queen - u were my favourite 80s rock band

[jairosantanafigueroa]

I’ve listened to a fair amount of Beethoven in my life. How had I not heard this yet? Incredible!

[hm]

0:01 - Theme
1:18 - VAR. I
2:09 - VAR. II
2:56 - VAR. III
3:45 - VAR. IV
4:35 - VAR. V
5:37 - VAR. VI
6:32 VAR. VII
7:18 Adagio
7:47 Allegro

[maxjohn]

Wow! I never knew Beethoven did this! What a stellar performance, absolutely brilliant.

[loge]

I had to stand for the entire performance... fortunately it's not too long.

[yuyinwang]

I wonder if this is one of Beethoven’s improvisation written down.

[andreiarochacravopiano]

Nunca tinha ouvido falar nessa variação feita por Beethoven! Que linda!

[オカン-uj]

Ｆifty years ago
Ｉ played this music my musiccollege.

[CatkhosruShapurrjiFurabji]

3:44 like the buildup variation from Brahms' Schumann variations.

[smyrnian_]

Beethoven was greatly inspired by Mozart so it stands to reason that Mozart's variations for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" may have given Beethoven the idea to do this. This is taking nothing away from Beethoven though, this work is brilliant in its own right!

[velcroman]

Disclaimer: any similarity to God Save the King is purely coincidental and not intended.

[rexy]

God save the king,
Beethoven save our life.

[michelcamachomusic]

In Spanish there's a Christian hymn called A nuestro padre Dios (To our father who is in heaven) it has the same melody. I honestly prefer those lyrics over the traditional God save the queen ones. It feels like this melody is truly a hymn to God. Beethoven's variations on this theme are sublime. I always thought Handel composed this melody but it seems to be older. Many composers have shown appreciation for this melody and it's truly one the most beautiful I've heard, that's why I think it's much better to dedicate these lyrics to God than to a simple mortal human.

[phoundyq]

Variation VII reminds me alot of Ah vous dirai je maman

[Luca-ygqx]

Liszt also wrote a nice paraphrase on the theme

[supermariofan-yzyv]

In Loving Memory Of
Queen Elizabeth II
1926 - 2022

[Bismuth]

Variation V sounds straight up like Schubert.

[TGMGame]

var. 7 has a really nice haydn 50 feel to it!