Ferruccio Busoni - Orchestral Works

Ferruccio BUSONI (1866-1924)

Orchestral Woks: 

Nocturne Symphonique; 

Verzweiflung und Ergebung; 

Sarabande & Cortège; 

Divertimento für Flöte und Orchester

Concertino für Klarinette und Kleines Orchester

Tanz-Walzer für Orchester

Gerd Albrecht (Conductor), 

Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra 

It is impossible to place the music of Ferruccio Busoni in some defining niche. As far as I am concerned, he is one of the first modern composers. There hardly seems a link to a specific influence of the past; there is a trace of dark side of Liszt which is understated at best. There is no particular link to Brahms, Richard Strauss, or Bruckner. His music is always tonal, often Romantic, but the Impressionists seemed not to faze him. Often austere, his music is never bleak, nor at times without humor. A kaleidoscopic monstrosity (and I mean in terms of size), the piano concerto has received deserved attention, but the world has been slow to appreciate his operas “Dr. Faustus” and “Turandot.”

Some years ago, Chandos started a cycle of Busoni’s orchestral works that was left incomplete. The conducting by Neeme Jarvi and the recordings were without peer. The Nocturne Symphonique, Rondo Arlecchino (the suite from the theatrical work), and the Divertimento for Flute and Orchestra were not recorded (or possibly, never released). These three works are represented on this Capriccio CD, as are two orchestrations from Faust and one from Turandot, as well as the Tanzwalzer and the Clarinet Concerto.

Gerd Albrecht does a fine job with all of the works on this disc. I might feel that the Nocturne is a bit rushed, but the mysterious atmosphere still is effective. The Clarinet Concerto is the finest I’ve heard, strikingly modern-sounding, with an excellent performance by Ulf Rodenhauser. The humor in the Tanzwalzer is delicious. The orchestra is excellent and the recording is very good, if not top notch. Busoni is a very important composer, and although this disc is now only available as part of a set, it is well-worth seeking out.