Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Quartet

Compose Date

:

Mar 21, 1878

Publication Date

:

1987

Average_duration

:

20:21

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Ferruccio Busoni's Concerto in D minor, Op. 17, KiV 80, is a monumental work for piano and orchestra. It was composed between 1901 and 1904 and premiered in Berlin on November 30, 1904, with Busoni himself as the soloist and Karl Muck conducting the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. The concerto is divided into four movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement, marked Allegro moderato, begins with a dramatic orchestral introduction that sets the stage for the virtuosic piano entrance. The piano and orchestra engage in a lively dialogue, with the piano taking on a more improvisatory role. The second movement, marked Andante, is a lyrical and introspective interlude that showcases the piano's ability to sing and sustain long lines. The third movement, marked Allegro energico, is a tour-de-force of technical fireworks and rhythmic complexity. The piano and orchestra engage in a frenzied dance, with the piano often leading the way. The final movement, marked Allegro moderato, is a triumphant and exuberant conclusion to the concerto. The piano and orchestra engage in a joyful celebration, with the piano often taking on a more orchestral role. One of the most striking characteristics of Busoni's concerto is its fusion of different musical styles and traditions. Busoni was a master of both the German and Italian musical traditions, and he drew on both in this work. The concerto is full of references to Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, and other composers, as well as to Italian opera and folk music. Busoni also experimented with new forms and structures, such as the use of a recurring theme that ties the entire work together. Another characteristic of Busoni's concerto is its demanding technical requirements for the soloist. Busoni was a virtuoso pianist himself, and he wrote this concerto to showcase his own abilities. The piano part is full of rapid runs, intricate passagework, and complex rhythms, and it requires a pianist of exceptional skill and stamina. Overall, Busoni's Concerto in D minor, Op. 17, KiV 80, is a monumental work that combines virtuosity, lyricism, and innovation in a unique and compelling way. It remains one of the most challenging and rewarding works in the piano concerto repertoire.

More....