Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Nocturne

Compose Date

:

Oct 1912 - Jul 6, 1913

Publication Date

:

1914

First Performance

:

Apr 12, 1914

Average_duration

:

8:27

Ferruccio Busoni's Nocturne Symphonique, Op. 43, KiV 262, was composed in 1913 and premiered in Berlin on February 27, 1914. The piece is divided into three movements and is scored for a large orchestra, including a large percussion section. The first movement, marked "Lento," begins with a haunting melody in the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the brass and percussion joining in, until it reaches a climax. The music then subsides, with the opening melody returning in a more subdued form. The second movement, marked "Allegro," is a scherzo-like section that features a lively, syncopated rhythm. The music is characterized by its use of shifting meters and sudden changes in dynamics. The middle section of the movement features a lyrical melody in the strings, which is then taken up by the woodwinds and brass. The final movement, marked "Lento," is a slow, mournful section that features a solo cello playing a lyrical melody. The music gradually builds in intensity, with the full orchestra joining in, until it reaches a powerful climax. The music then subsides, with the solo cello returning to play the opening melody in a more subdued form. Overall, Nocturne Symphonique is characterized by its use of lush harmonies, complex rhythms, and dramatic contrasts in dynamics. The piece is a prime example of Busoni's unique style, which combined elements of Romanticism, Impressionism, and modernism.

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