Busoni's visual sketch for the concerto's structure, depicted on the published score's frontispiece, shows three buildings representing different architectural styles separated by natural elements.
Compositional Technique
The concerto uniquely includes a male chorus in its final movement, singing text from Adam Oehlenschläger's play "Aladdin."
Composition History
Busoni's Piano Concerto, Op. 39, is the longest piano concerto ever heard in public, lasting around 75 minutes.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Busoni considered the concerto his 'Italian Symphony,' aiming to synthesize his Italian heritage with the Austro-German tradition.
Performer Biography
Roberto Cappello, the pianist on this recording, launched a successful international career after winning the Premio Busoni competition in 1976.
Critical Reception
The premiere of Busoni's Piano Concerto in 1904 received an equivocal and sometimes hostile reception, partly due to its scale and overall conception.
Recording & Production
The Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma, featured on this recording, is a rare example in Europe of a completely privately funded orchestra.
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