Ferruccio Busoni presents a magnificent collection of classical piano masterpieces in the album '053 Classical and Contemporary Essentials - Caeli', released on 18 January 2025 under the Novus Promusica label. This extensive compilation, spanning 4 hours and 23 minutes, showcases Busoni's exceptional skill and artistry, as he breathes new life into iconic compositions.
The album features an impressive array of works, including pieces by renowned composers such as Bach, Chopin, and Debussy. From the delicate nuances of the 'Minuet in C Minor BWV S. Anh. 121' to the expressive depths of the 'Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor "Quasi Una Fantasia" Op. 27, No. 2', Busoni's interpretations are characterised by their technical precision and emotional resonance.
Throughout the album, Busoni's mastery of the piano is on full display, as he navigates the intricate complexities of works such as the 'Well Tempered Clavier, Book I: Prelude No. 1 in C Major BWV 846' and the 'Etude, Op. 10 No. 8' by Chopin. His performances are marked by a deep understanding of the composers' intentions, combined with a unique personal touch that elevates each piece to new heights.
The album also includes arrangements of symphonic works, such as the 'Symphony No. 3, Op. 55, 'Eroica'' and the 'Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36', which demonstrate Busoni's ability to distil the essence of large-scale compositions into intimate, piano-based renditions.
With '053 Classical and Contemporary Essentials - Caeli', Ferruccio Busoni offers a rich and rewarding listening experience that will delight fans of classical piano music. His exceptional artistry and technical prowess make this album a must-have for anyone seeking to explore the vast and beautiful world of classical music.
2025 Novus Promusica2025 Novus Promusica
Tracks
Écossaise K. WoO 23Ludwig van Beethoven, Anna Miernik
Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach: Minuet in C Minor BWV S. Anh. 121Johann Sebastian Bach, Anna Miernik
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-Sharp Minor "Quasi Una Fantasia" Op. 27, No. 2: I. Adagio SostenutoLudwig van Beethoven, Anna Miernik
Three Morceaux. Op. 48: No. 3, Etude Heroique - Duo-Art 5848Theodor Leschetizky, Guiomar Novaes, Peter Phillips
Andante Spianato, Op. 22a - Triphonola T-55755Frédéric Chopin, Francis Planté, Peter Phillips
Etudes, Op. 10: No. 3, Tristesse - Welte-Mignon 1254Frédéric Chopin, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Peter Phillips
Danse (Tarantelle Styrienne), L. 69 - Duo-Art 6354Claude Debussy, Arthur Rubinstein, Peter Phillips
Berceuse, Op. 57 in D-Flat Major - Triphonola T-55757Frédéric Chopin, Teresa Carreño, Peter Phillips
Fantasie Impromptu, Op. 66, C-Sharp Minor - Duo-Art 6058Frédéric Chopin, Peter Phillips, Harold Bauer
Estampes: No. 2, La Soirée Dans Grenade - Duo-Art 6599Claude Debussy, Harold Bauer, Peter Phillips
Berceuse, Op. 57, in D-Flat Major - Welte-Mignon 328Frédéric Chopin, Alfred Reisenauer, Peter Phillips
Ballade No.3, Op. 47 in A-Flat Major - Duca 50Frédéric Chopin, Anatol von Rössel, Peter Phillips
Estampes: No. 2, La Soirée Dans GrenadeClaude Debussy, E. Robert Schmitz, Peter Phillips
Ballade in F Major - Duo-Art 092 BrClaude Debussy, Peter Phillips, Mitja Nikisch
Piano Sonata No. 32 in C Minor, Op. 111: I. Maestoso; Allegro Con Brio E Appassionata - Welte-Mignon 563Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Lamond, Peter Phillips
Symphony No. 3, Op. 55, 'Eroica' (Arr. Solo Piano by Lamond): I. Allegro Con Brio - Duo-Art 5320Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Lamond, Peter Phillips
Andante in F Major, WoO 57 "Andante Favori" - Welte-Mignon 837Ludwig van Beethoven, Max Pauer, Peter Phillips
Variations on a Theme by Paganini. Op. 35: Selections - Duo-Art 6813-4Johannes Brahms, Wilhelm Backhaus, Peter Phillips
Piano Sonata No. 21, Op. 53 "Waldstein": III. Rondo. Allegretto Moderato - Welte-Mignon 373Ludwig van Beethoven, Teresa Carreño, Peter Phillips
Danse Macabre, Op. 40 (Arr. Solo Piano by Liszt) - Duo-Art_0970_BrCamille Saint-Saëns, Franz Liszt, Peter Phillips, Vladimir Horowitz
Adelaide, Op. 46 (Arr. Solo Piano by Liszt) - Welte-Mignon 443Ludwig van Beethoven, Ferruccio Busoni, Peter Phillips
Andante Favori, WoO 57 - Duo-Art 71350Ludwig van Beethoven, Peter Phillips, Wanda Landowska
Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 36 (Arr. Solo Piano by Kiek): II. Larghetto - Welte-Mignon 3156Ludwig van Beethoven, Georges Kiek, Peter Phillips
Theme and 32 Variations, in C Minor, WoO 80 - Welte-Mignon 52Ludwig van Beethoven, Egon Petri, Peter Phillips
8 Variations on Sussmayr's Trio "Tandeln Und Scherzen" in F Major, WoO 76 - Duo-Art 6957Ludwig van Beethoven, Peter Phillips, Ethel Leginska
Prélude À L'après-Midi D'un Faune (Arr. For Solo Piano by E. Robert Schmitz) - Duo-Art 6532Claude Debussy, Peter Phillips, E. Robert Schmitz
Symphony No. 3, Op. 55, 'Eroica': IV. Allegro Molto - Finale (Arr. By Grande & Utz) - Welte-Mignon 2314, Arr. 4 Hands PianoLudwig van Beethoven, Peter Phillips, Carlo del Grande, Paula Utz
Ferruccio Busoni, born in Empoli, Italy, in 1866, was a true polymath of the music world, excelling as a composer, pianist, conductor, editor, writer, and teacher. A child prodigy, Busoni's musical journey was shaped by his parents—his Italian father, a clarinetist, and his German mother, a pianist. His international career allowed him to collaborate with some of the most influential musicians and artists of his time. Busoni was not just a virtuoso pianist known for his brilliance and intellectual prowess but also a pioneer of modern music, influenced by giants like Liszt, Brahms, and Bach. His compositions and transcriptions reflect his deep understanding of both Italian and German musical traditions, making him a key figure in the transition from the Romantic to the modern era. Busoni's legacy extends beyond his performances and compositions; his teachings and writings have left an indelible mark on the world of music, inspiring generations of musicians and thinkers.
Vinylscout
Ferruccio Busoni