Busoni: Piano Music, Vol. 13 - Wolf Harden

The final volume in this acclaimed series of Busoni’s piano music focuses on beginnings and endings. Early works and transcriptions are featured, plus a substantial body of music that Busoni wrote for his multi-volume Klavierübung (‘Piano Exercise’). The early miniatures are teasing and witty but also inventive examples of his mastery of Bachian procedure. The excerpts from Klavierübung, in which he uses his own music and that of others, embody the full breadth of his creative vision. They make a fitting end to this series performed by Wolf Harden, whose playing of Busoni has been described as ‘the clear current benchmark’ (BBC Music Magazine on Volume 2, 8.555699).

1        Prelude And Fugue In C Minor, Op. 21, BV 85 (1878)    5:23
Capriccio Sopra La Lontananza Del Suo Fratello Dilettissimo, BWV 992    (13:10)
2        I. Arioso: Adagio - Is Eine Schmeichelung Der Freunde, Um Denselben Von Seiner Reise Abzuhalten ('Is A Coaxing By His Frineds, To Induce Him To Give Up His Journey')    2:18
3        II. (Fugato): (Andante) - Is Eine Vorstellung Unterschiedlicher Casuum, Die Ihm In Der Fremde Könnten Vorfallen ('Is A Representation Of Various Eventualities, Which Might Overtake Him In Foreign Lands')    2:09
4        III. Studio [Sulla Adagissimo] ('Study On Adagissimo'): Andante Sostenuto, Alla Passacaglia - Ist Ein Allgemeines Lamento Der Freunde ('Is A General Lament Of His Friends')    3:16
5        IV. (Alla Marcia): Sehr Getragen, Molto Sostenuto - Allhier Kommen, Die Freunde, Weil Die Doch Sehen, Daß Es Anders Nicht Sein Kann, Und Nehmen Abschied ('The Friends Gather To Take Leave Of Him Since They See That It Cannot Be Otherwise, And Bid Him Farewell')    0:44
6        V. Aria Di Postiglione: Adagio Poco    1:40
7        VI. Fuga All'Imitazione Della Cornetta Di Postiglione: (Allegro Ritenuto) (Concert Version)    3:03
8        Menuetto Capriccioso In C Major, Op. 61, BV 124 (1879)    2:59
9        Six Ecossaises In E Flat Major, WoO 83    2:56
Klavierübung In Fünf Teilen (First Edition, Pub. 1918-22)    
Part I: Sechs Klavierübungen Und Präludien (Pub. 1918) (Excerpts)    
Übung I    
10        Tempo Di Valse    0:31
11        Preludio: Allegro    0:54
Übung II    
12        Preludio: Allegro Festivo    1:14
Übung III    
13        Preludio: Andantino    1:06
14        Preludio: Tempo Di Valse, Moderato    0:32
Übung IV    
15        Nach Auber–Liszt: Alla Tarantella    1:05
Übung V    
16        Preludio: Allegro Moderato    1:15
Übung VI ('À Trois Mains')    
17        Preludio: Alla Tarantella    0:51
18        Nach Offenbach: Barcarole    2:03
19        Nach Beethoven: Presto    0:48
Part II: Drei Klavierübungen Und Präludien (Pub. 1919) (Excerpts)    
Übung VII    
20        Moderato    3:00
21        Nach Bach: Andante    1:48
22        Preludio (Ohne Den Dritten Finger): Moderato Alla Breve    1:32
23        Nach Gounod: Andante Con Moto    2:05
24        Preludio: Allegro    2:03
25        Nach Liszt: Andantino – Tema – Variations 1-3    2:02
Übung VIII    
26        Nach Beethoven: Allegro    3:13
27        Preludio: Andantino Tranquillo    2:48
28        Tempo Di Valse, Elegantemente    1:37
Übung IX    
29        Nach Schubert    1:56
30        Aus Meinem Concerto - Trattenuto E Fantasticamente    1:14
Part III: Lo Staccato (Pub. 1921)    
31        No. 6a. Nach Mendelssohn    1:26
Part V: Variationen, Perpetuum Mobile Und Tonleitern (Pub. 1922)    
32        Perpetuum Mobile    5:04