Busoni: Piano Concerto in C Major, Op. 39, BV 247 (Live)

Featuring

Stefan Malzew
Pietro Massa
Neubrandenburger Philharmonie
Ernst Senff Chor
Philharmonischer Chor Neubrandenburg
Ferruccio Busoni

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Compositional Technique

The Concerto, originally planned for seven movements, was condensed into a five-movement symmetrical arc form by Busoni during the composition process.

Critical Reception

Despite the Concerto being 'overwhelmingly negatively received' at its premiere, Busoni bravely continued his Berlin concert series of new and unusual works.

Composer Biography

Ferruccio Busoni, born in Empoli in 1866, was the son of an Italian clarinetist mother and a pianist father of German descent.

Composer Biography

Busoni was a child prodigy, making his debut as a pianist at age seven and composing his first opus, a canzone for piano.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Busoni considered the concert hall a 'temple consecrated to the arts and to nature,' aiming to convey the 'essence of music' through his monumental performance style.

Compositional Technique

The solo piano part in Busoni's Concerto is extremely demanding, extending over the whole keyboard and often notated in four systems, reflecting a 'streak of gigantomania'.

Composition History

Busoni's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with Male Choir, Op. 39, was originally conceived for a stage work based on the oriental fairy tale Aladdin, which never progressed beyond the libretto stage.