Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fantasy

Compose Date

:

Jul 3, 1921

Publication Date

:

1922

First Performance

:

Nov 16, 1921

Average_duration

:

32:14

Fantasia contrappuntistica (III), KiV 256b is a piano composition by Ferruccio Busoni, composed in 1910. The piece was premiered in 1911 by Busoni himself in Berlin. It is the third and final version of Busoni's Fantasia contrappuntistica, which he began in 1910 as a tribute to Johann Sebastian Bach's unfinished Art of Fugue. The piece is divided into three movements: Preludio, Fuga, and Coda. The Preludio is a slow and contemplative introduction, featuring a simple melody that is gradually developed and expanded upon. The Fuga is the centerpiece of the piece, and is a complex and intricate fugue that showcases Busoni's mastery of counterpoint. The Coda is a brief and energetic conclusion that brings the piece to a thrilling close. One of the most notable characteristics of Fantasia contrappuntistica (III) is its use of polyphony and counterpoint. Busoni was a master of these techniques, and he uses them to great effect in this piece. The Fuga, in particular, is a tour-de-force of counterpoint, featuring multiple voices that interweave and overlap in a complex and intricate web of sound. Another characteristic of the piece is its use of chromaticism and dissonance. Busoni was known for his interest in atonality and experimental harmonies, and these elements are present throughout the piece. The use of dissonance and chromaticism gives the piece a sense of tension and unease, which is balanced by moments of beauty and lyricism. Overall, Fantasia contrappuntistica (III) is a challenging and complex piece that showcases Busoni's mastery of counterpoint and his innovative approach to harmony and form. It remains a beloved work in the piano repertoire, and is a testament to Busoni's enduring influence on 20th-century music.

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