Busoni, Ferruccio (1866 - 1924)

[Bryn]

Now spinning here, CD-Rs Radio 3 FM relay of NY Met pruduction from 20th January 2001, conducted by Philipe Auguin.

[Serial_Apologist]

Now spinning here, CD-Rs Radio 3 FM relay of NY Met pruduction from 20th January 2001, conducted by Philipe Auguin.

I have a tape, somewhere, of one of Busoni's pupils, playing one of the sonatas or sonatinas, on a remastered recording from the 1920s. Must dig it out sometime.

[ahinton]

Until comparatively recently, Busoni has rather tended to suffer from being a "name" talked about hither and thither, mainly in academic circles, as though a matter of historical interest while his music was being far from widely performed or recorded; that balance has certainly been redressed considerably over the past 40 years or so, but his legacy remains underappreciated, I think. I suspect that his polymathic achievements have probably not helped to enhance his reputation during an age of specialisation.

[Barbirollians]

On that basis, presumably the finale of Mahler 2 strikes you in the same way?

1 Not camp - the words not being from an early 19th century version of Aladdin

2 Not a male chorus

3 Not a piano concerto

4 Not Busoni

No need to be so prickly Sir V - yes it does sound melodramatic and rather high camp to my ears . It does not mean I didn't enjoy it and Ogdon is phenomenal much of the music also is great fun .

[Serial_Apologist]

Until comparatively recently, Busoni has rather tended to suffer from being a "name" talked about hither and thither, mainly in academic circles, as though a matter of historical interest while his music was being far from widely performed or recorded; that balance has certainly been redressed considerably over the past 40 years or so, but his legacy remains underappreciated, I think. I suspect that his polymathic achievements have probably not helped to enhance his reputation during an age of specialisation.

One writer even implied lesser import in Busoni's work insofar that the composer - unlike for example, Schoenberg - was in effect spoilt and feted as a boy prodigal at the piano from a wealthy background, and therefore in a position to treat his gifts as some sort of hobby. I don't know how widespread this view among the criticalia has been.

[Roehre]

One writer even implied lesser import in Busoni's work insofar that the composer - unlike for example, Schoenberg - was in effect spoilt and feted as a boy prodigal at the piano from a wealthy background, and therefore in a position to treat his gifts as some sort of hobby. I don't know how widespread this view among the criticalia has been.

A comparison with Bax in that respect shows some similarities in critical appreciation?

[slarty]

Another champion of Busoni's works was Jascha Horenstein. he performed a great number of his works. I have his live performance of Dr Faust from New York with Fischer-Dieskau. A large number of Horenstein's Busoni recordings are on
YouTube. Just type in Busoni Horenstein and go to it.

[richardfinegold]

Another champion of Busoni's works was Jascha Horenstein. he performed a great number of his works. I have his live performance of Dr Faust from New York with Fischer-Dieskau. A large number of Horenstein's Busoni recordings are on
YouTube. Just type in Busoni Horenstein and go to it.

It was an interest in Horenstein, which I developed years ago, which led to me becoming acquainted with Busoni's music. A friend of mine made cassettes of JH conducting Busoni. I don't know where the originals came from; they may have have been of questionable provence.

[Roehre]

and it is always nice to see that contributors of extensive postings are acknowledged...

[Bryn]

Prompted by this thread, I have at last got round to ripping the Nagano CDs of Doktor Faust to hard drive and compiling the Jarnach and Beaumont completions of the full work to a single audio DVD (with a 20 second pause inserted between the two versions. Much easier to listen to now. no chopping around between tracks (none of my current CD playback equipment has straight forward programming of tracks as an option). Now where can I find an English translation of the libretto? I don't even have a German one, having purchased the bargain basement re-issue of the CD set.

[Barbirollians]

In the last Progetto Martha Argerich box Renaud Capucon plays the Busoni violin concerto in D from 1897. Evidently an earlyish work but what a beautiful piece especially when played so stunningly as here . Striking tunes , an intensely romantic and lyrical adagio and a terrific dancing finale .

I should imagine this would go down a storm in concert I am amazed it is not better known.

PS looking at its recorded history it seems to have been better known in the past there are recordings from Szigeti and Busch.

[Stanfordian]

In the last Progetto Martha Argerich box Renaud Capucon plays the Busoni violin concerto in D from 1897. Evidently an earlyish work but what a beautiful piece especially when played so stunningly as here . Striking tunes , an intensely romantic and lyrical adagio and a terrific dancing finale .

I should imagine this would go down a storm in concert I am amazed it is not better known.

PS looking at its recorded history it seems to have been better known in the past there are recordings from Szigeti and Busch.

Hiya Barbirollians,

A couple of years ago whilst in Berlin I attended an fascinating Busoni exhibition near the Philharmonie in the Kunstbibliothek. Suitably inspired I also visited his grave in the city located in a prominent position near the entrance in the cemetery. Incidentally Marlene Dietrich is buried in the same cemetery.

I have the recording of the Busoni violin concerto played by Frank Peter Zimmermann a work that in truth rather leaves me underwhelmed. I will make a point of hearing it again soon. In 2011 I attended a Berlin performance of the 'Nocturne symphonique' performed by the touring Staatskapelle Dresden under Christian Thielemann. The 'Nocturne symphonique' strikes me as being one of Busoni's stronger works.

[Serial_Apologist]

The 'Nocturne symphonique' strikes me as being one of Busoni's stronger works.

It's a fascinating, mysterious work, bridging stylistically as it does the worlds of late Liszt (La Lugubre Gondola) and Debussyan impressionism (Nuages gris from Nocturnes). I often wonder what Mahler must have made of it when he conducted the piece.

[Barbirollians]

Hiya Barbirollians,

A couple of years ago whilst in Berlin I attended an fascinating Busoni exhibition near the Philharmonie in the Kunstbibliothek. Suitably inspired I also visited his grave in the city located in a prominent position near the entrance in the cemetery. Incidentally Marlene Dietrich is buried in the same cemetery.

I have the recording of the Busoni violin concerto played by Frank Peter Zimmermann a work that in truth rather leaves me underwhelmed. I will make a point of hearing it again soon. In 2011 I attended a Berlin performance of the 'Nocturne symphonique' performed by the touring Staatskapelle Dresden under Christian Thielemann. The 'Nocturne symphonique' strikes me as being one of Busoni's stronger works.

I recommend this last Lugano set - also included is Argerich in Gaspard , Mozart K448 , yet another admittedly terrific performance of the Ravel Piano Concerto in G and a thrilling performance of the Choral Fantasia that almost makes one weep that she does not play or has not recorded the Fourth and Fifth Concertos.

[Serial_Apologist]

Here is a documentary on Busoni from the early 1970s - Roland Stevenson is the presenter; it is well worth watching:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhDe3EsIYsU