Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Rondo

Compose Date

:

1915

Publication Date

:

1917

First Performance

:

Apr 5, 1916

Average_duration

:

12:36

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Ferruccio Busoni's 'Rondo arlecchinesco, Op. 46, KiV 266' is a piano piece composed in 1915. It was premiered in the same year by Busoni himself in Zurich. The piece is a part of Busoni's 'Six Short Pieces for the Cultivation of Polyphonic Playing' and is the fifth piece in the set. The 'Rondo arlecchinesco' is a lively and playful piece that is inspired by the character of Arlecchino, a stock character in the Italian commedia dell'arte. The piece is in rondo form, which means that it has a recurring theme that is interspersed with contrasting sections. The main theme is a lively and syncopated melody that is reminiscent of the playful and mischievous nature of Arlecchino. The piece is characterized by its use of polyphony, which is the simultaneous playing of multiple melodies. Busoni was a master of polyphony, and he uses it to great effect in this piece. The contrasting sections of the piece feature different melodies that are played simultaneously, creating a complex and intricate texture. The 'Rondo arlecchinesco' is also notable for its use of chromaticism, which is the use of notes that are outside of the key signature. Busoni uses chromaticism to create a sense of tension and dissonance in the piece, which is then resolved in the recurring main theme. Overall, the 'Rondo arlecchinesco' is a lively and playful piece that showcases Busoni's mastery of polyphony and chromaticism. Its use of the character of Arlecchino adds an element of whimsy and humor to the piece, making it a joy to listen to and play.

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