Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Keyboard

Compose Date

:

Aug 1914

Publication Date

:

1915

First Performance

:

Oct 10, 1914

Average_duration

:

34:22

Movement_count

:

23

Movement ....

Ferruccio Busoni's 'Aria mit 30 Veränderungen (Goldberg Variations) (after J. S. Bach, BWV 988), KiV B35' is a monumental work for solo piano. It was composed in 1909 and premiered in Berlin the same year. The work is based on Johann Sebastian Bach's 'Goldberg Variations', BWV 988, which consists of an aria and 30 variations. Busoni's version of the 'Goldberg Variations' is a highly virtuosic and complex work that expands on Bach's original material. The work is divided into two books, each containing 15 variations. The first book follows Bach's original order of variations, while the second book rearranges them in a new order. Busoni's 'Aria mit 30 Veränderungen' is characterized by its use of polyphony, chromaticism, and virtuosic piano writing. The work is also notable for its use of unconventional techniques, such as the use of the una corda pedal and the sostenuto pedal. The first book of the work begins with a faithful rendition of Bach's aria, followed by variations that range from playful to introspective. The second book is more experimental, with variations that explore the extremes of the piano's range and use unconventional harmonies. Overall, Busoni's 'Aria mit 30 Veränderungen' is a masterful reimagining of Bach's 'Goldberg Variations'. It showcases Busoni's virtuosic piano writing and his ability to expand on Bach's original material while staying true to its spirit.

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