Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924)
Eine Lustspielouvertüre Op. 38 (1897) [7:01]
Gesang vom Reigen der Geister Op. 47 (1915) [7:39]
Rondo Arlecchinesco Op. 46 (1915) [13:00]
Clarinet Concertino in B flat major Op. 48 (1918) [11:56]
Divertimento for flute and small orchestra Op. 52 (1920)
[8:57]
Tanzwalzer Op. 53 (1920) [12:06]
Giammarco Casani (clarinet); Laura Minguzzi (flute); Gianlucca
Terranova (tenor);
Orchestra Sinfonica di Roma/Francesco La Vecchia
rec. Auditorium Conciliazione, Rome and the ORS Studios, Rome,
7-8 December 2008, 27-28 March, 13-14 , 16-17 May 2011
NAXOS 8.572922 [60:38]
Busoni was not only a great composer and pianist but also a
musical philosopher whose work extends beyond the realms of
pure music. The Fantasia Contrappuntistica, the Piano
Concerto and above all Doktor Faust are prime examples
of this. One important aspect of this was his advocacy of a
form of neo-classicism, in particular derived from the music
of Mozart and Bach, and it is this aspect that is the main part
of this disc.
It starts with what is usually known in Anglo-Saxon circles
as the Comedy Overture, a neat, crisp work which goes
well beyond what have become the clichés of the many
“light, bright, Overtures” written since that time.
It is a delightful piece surprisingly rarely encountered in
the concert hall. The other works are all much later in date.
The Divertimento is a particular joy to hear. In effect
it is a Concertino in three sections, the first and last based
on a clear-cut motif of very classical character but whose treatment
is very individual. The slower middle section is even more so,
with a haunting quintessential Busoni theme. All of this in
less than ten minutes of pure pleasure.
The Clarinet Concertino and Rondo Arlecchinesco are similar
in their ingenious use of classical features in a very individual
context. The Tanzwalzer was dedicated to the memory of
Johann Strauss II and is about as different from that nearly
contemporary tribute to the Viennese waltz - Ravel’s La
Valse - as it is possible to imagine. The odd work out here
is the Gesang vom Reigen der Geister which, like the
Indian Diary and Indian Fantasy, is based on American
Indian themes and has an ambiguous and mystical character, another
important aspect of Busoni as a composer.
All of these are essential works in the collections of any admirer
of the composer, and it is good to have them brought together
here in modern recordings. The performances are generally satisfactory
although at times lacking that total confidence in phrasing
and balance that comes with greater familiarity with the music.
The recording is clear and full although at times the balance
sounds artificial rather than a real representation of what
one might hear in a concert hall. There are good notes by Richard
Whitehouse. All in all this is a useful collection of short
pieces which are too easily ignored when contemplating Busoni’s
larger masterpieces.
John Sheppard
A useful collection of Busoni’s short pieces.
see also review by Brian Reinhart (September 2012 Recording of the Month)