#206 The Smell of Disease

A very peaceful motif starts to spread like cancer. The dark tones at 1'49'' are so ill and omnious. Decorum of the beginning is returning: for the last times, with these dark tones, in an unlikely symbiosis.

Kovacevich is soft and thoughtful. Not so sparkling, not ornamental, not playful.

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Work: Piano Sonata No 22, I. In tempo di menuetto
Recording: Stephen Kovacevich

#135 The Smell of Chandelier

It's an old one. Big, crystal, dusty. Vanished elegance–still there, waiting. Maybe gaspy, willing to join the party that's over for centuries.

Kovacevich's tone is elegant and sad. No parody here–respect and piety.

Composer: Frédérick Chopin
Work: Waltz No 1
Recording: Stephen Kovacevich

#18 The Smell of Snivel

It's not my language. Alfred Brendel describes seventh Diabelli variation as sniveling and stamping.

Here we little girl who's wanting to dance but have no idea how, too afraid of the world of and for adults. Will she try again? One more time?

Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Work: Diabelli Variations, 7. Up poco più allegro
Recording: Stephen Kovacevich