Ferruccio Busoni and His Muses

Dive into the world of Ferruccio Busoni with this captivating collection of piano works, "Ferruccio Busoni and His Muses," set to release on December 6, 2024, via Bridge Records. This album is a testament to Busoni's virtuosity and his deep reverence for the musical giants who inspired him. The program spans approximately 70 minutes and features a mix of Busoni's own compositions and his arrangements of works by his musical muses: Bach, Mozart, and Liszt.

The album opens with Busoni's arrangement of Bach's Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue in D Minor, showcasing his ability to reinterpret and expand upon the master's work. It also includes several pieces from Busoni's own pen, such as the evocative "Indianisches Tagebuch I" and the playful "Piano Sonatina No. 6." Fans of Mozart will delight in Busoni's fantasies and variations on themes from Mozart's operas, while admirers of Liszt will appreciate the inclusion of "Variations-Studie nach Mozart I" from Busoni's "Klavierübung, Pt. 3."

Recorded in 2024 at the Sweeney Concert Hall, Smith College, this album benefits from the exceptional acoustics of the venue and the sensitive playing of pianist Jiayan Sun. Sun's performance brings out the full range of Busoni's expressive language, from the intimate and lyrical to the dramatic and virtuosic. Whether you're a longtime fan of Busoni's music or a newcomer to his unique sound world, this album offers a compelling introduction to his artistry and his enduring legacy.

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.