Ferruccio Busoni, a pianist and musical genius, advocated for a 'free' music, believing that any notation is a transcription of an abstract idea that loses its original form once written down.
Performer Biography
Igor Levit, the pianist on this album, was deeply affected by the accidental death of a close friend, which led him to reflect on loss and seek solace in music.
Album & Artwork
The album's program, which explores themes of doubt, loss, sorrow, solace, happiness, togetherness, and love, was inspired by Igor Levit's friend, Hannes Malte Mahler.
Recording & Production
This album was recorded in Berlin-Dahlem, Jesus-Christus-Kirche, over several days in March 2018.
Compositional Technique
All the works on this album involve an incremental increase of symbolic energy through overwritings, transcriptions, and mirror-reflections, making each an 'art work in motion'.
Interpretation
Igor Levit considers Ferruccio Busoni's transcription of Liszt's organ piece to be 'transcendental pianism' that improves on the original, and he is one of the few pianists who performs it live.
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