Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Improvisation

Compose Date

:

Jun 1916 - Aug 1916

Publication Date

:

1917

First Performance

:

Dec 18, 1917

Average_duration

:

14:25

Ferruccio Busoni's 'Improvisation on the Bach Chorale Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seele' is a piano work that was composed in 1909. The piece was premiered by Busoni himself in Berlin on December 14, 1909. The work is a set of variations on the chorale 'Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seele' by Johann Sebastian Bach. The piece is divided into three movements. The first movement is marked 'Andante con moto' and is a set of variations on the chorale theme. The variations are highly virtuosic and showcase Busoni's technical prowess on the piano. The second movement is marked 'Allegro moderato' and is a scherzo-like section that features rapid runs and arpeggios. The final movement is marked 'Adagio - Andante - Adagio' and is a slow, contemplative section that brings the piece to a peaceful conclusion. One of the characteristics of Busoni's 'Improvisation on the Bach Chorale Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seele' is its use of polyphony. Busoni was known for his interest in polyphonic music, and this piece is no exception. The variations in the first movement often feature multiple voices that weave in and out of each other, creating a complex and intricate texture. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of chromaticism. Busoni was known for his interest in chromatic harmony, and this piece features many chromatic passages that add a sense of tension and drama to the music. Overall, Busoni's 'Improvisation on the Bach Chorale Wie wohl ist mir, o Freund der Seele' is a virtuosic and complex piano work that showcases the composer's interest in polyphony and chromaticism. Its three movements offer a range of moods and textures, making it a challenging and rewarding piece for pianists to perform.

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