Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Concerto

Style

:

Concerto

Compose Date

:

1890

Publication Date

:

1891

First Performance

:

Aug 27, 1890

Average_duration

:

19:07

Ferruccio Busoni's Konzertstück, Op. 31a, KiV 236, is a virtuosic work for piano and orchestra. It was composed in 1890 and premiered in Berlin on December 2, 1891, with Busoni as the soloist and Felix Weingartner conducting. The work is divided into three movements, with the first and third connected by a short cadenza. The first movement, marked Allegro deciso, begins with a bold and dramatic orchestral introduction, followed by the entrance of the piano with a virtuosic and highly ornamented solo passage. The movement is characterized by its rhythmic drive and use of syncopation, as well as its frequent changes in tempo and mood. The second movement, marked Andante, is a lyrical and expressive interlude featuring a solo cello accompanied by the piano. The movement is notable for its use of chromatic harmonies and richly textured orchestration. The final movement, marked Allegro molto, is a lively and energetic tour-de-force for the piano soloist. It features rapid passagework, intricate figurations, and frequent changes in tempo and meter. The movement builds to a thrilling climax before concluding with a virtuosic cadenza and a triumphant coda. Overall, Busoni's Konzertstück is a highly demanding and technically challenging work that showcases the virtuosity of both the soloist and the orchestra. It is characterized by its bold and dramatic orchestration, frequent changes in tempo and mood, and virtuosic solo passages.

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