DESCRIPTION:
Jonathan Powell, piano

Painting by Rob Hefferan

Link to full recording: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nzNtdsoj8GoPDbusJF5MUYmz11P3OaQ0U


Variation 19, "Quasi Debussy," out of 27 variations on the Dies Iræ theme. This particular movement, out of the ones I've listened to so far, stands out to me the most. One of the most sumptuous, warm, sentimental, spell-binding, evocative, enrapturing, enchanting, endearing, coruscating, voluptuous, romantic, and erotic entries in the piano literature; that gradually undergoes a metamorphosis of sorts from the aforementioned qualities to a vaguely mysterious and quasi-sinister atmosphere over the course of its duration.