Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827): 7 Variations on “Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen” from Mozart’s The Magic Flute, WoO 46 [9′]

Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849): Sonata for Piano and Cello in g minor, Op. 65 [34′]

1.  Allegro moderato
2.  Scherzo: Allegro con brio
3.  Largo
4.  Finale: Allegro

Boris Arapov (1905-1992): Sonata for Cello and Piano (1985) [23′]

1.  Sostenuto
2.  Allegro vivo
3.  Moderato assai

Beethoven’s 7 Variations illustrate a literal musical metamorphosis. Taking Mozart’s aria “Bei Männern welche Liebe fühlen” from The Magic Flute as its theme, Beethoven demonstrates the infinite possibilities contained within a simple musical “seed.” Each variation offers a new emotional landscape, revealing humour, emotion, and inventiveness while remaining rooted in the original theme. It is fascinating to hear how a composer can grow and transform this seed, revealing a wealth of imagination and expression.

Chopin’s Sonata for Piano and Cello, his last major completed work before death, embodies a personal artistic metamorphosis. Inspired by his familiar musical forms such as nocturnes and polonaises, Chopin pushes the boundaries of his harmonic and contrapuntal language to create an introspective work which becomes a meditation on change and self-reflection.

Arapov’s Sonata presents a cultural and musical metamorphosis, transforming folk melodies through elaborate harmonic complexity. Inspired by the folk music he heard during his extensive travels in Central and Eastern Asia, the work reflects a musical dialogue between cultural traditions. A principal motif develops and changes throughout the piece, illustrating how traditional musical material can be radically reinvented while preserving its fundamental essence.