Britten, Benjamin: Diversions op. 21 (1940, rev.1954) 23'
for piano (left hand) and orchestra

Scoring
2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2(II=Ebcl).asax(ad lib).2.dbn-4.2.3.1-timp.perc(2/3):gong/xyl/cyms/tgl/BD/SD/tamb- harp-strings

Repertoire Note  
Written for the one-armed pianist Paul Wittgenstein (who also commissioned works from Ravel, Prokofiev, Korngold and Richard Strauss among others), Diversions is a brilliant score in which the simple theme is transformed in the various forms and genres, culminating in a virtuosic sprint to the finish in a driving, whirlwind tarantella.