Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fugue

Compose Date

:

Jan 1884

Publication Date

:

1885

First Performance

:

Jan 26, 1885

Average_duration

:

15:35

Ferruccio Busoni's "Variationen und Fuge über, Op. 22, KiV 213" is a monumental work for solo piano, composed in 1884-85. It premiered in Helsinki in 1894, with Busoni himself as the soloist. The work is divided into two parts: the variations and the fugue. The variations section consists of 22 variations on a theme by Beethoven, taken from the composer's "32 Variations in C minor, WoO 80." Busoni's variations are highly virtuosic and explore a wide range of pianistic techniques, including rapid octave passages, intricate figurations, and complex polyphony. Each variation is distinct in character, ranging from playful and whimsical to dark and brooding. The fugue section is a massive, three-part fugue that builds on the material from the variations. Busoni's fugue is a tour-de-force of contrapuntal writing, with multiple themes and intricate interplay between the voices. The fugue is notable for its use of chromaticism and dissonance, which give it a modernist flavor. Overall, "Variationen und Fuge über, Op. 22, KiV 213" is a highly demanding work that requires a virtuosic pianist with a deep understanding of both classical and modernist styles. It is a testament to Busoni's skill as a composer and his ability to push the boundaries of traditional forms.

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