CD-1163(1) Ferruccio Busoni (1866-1924):
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra with Men’s Chorus op. 39 (Kindermann 247) Gunnar Johansen, Piano; Men’s choir of the NDR; prepared by Otto Franze; NDR Symphony Orchestra, Conducted by Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt. Recorded 15/16, January 1956, Hamburg, Musikhalle (live). Chief producer: Dr. Friedrich Schnapp. Total Time: 68:25 AAD (mono) UPC # 0-17685-11632-2.

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LISZT: Piano Concerto No. 2 in A Major. Philharmonic~Symphony Orchestra (NY), Dimitri Mitropoulos, 5 Sept. 1943; SCHUMANN: Piano Concerto in a Minor, Op. 54. Philharmonic~Symphony Orchestra (NY), Victor De Sabata, 18 March 1951; WEBER: Konzertstück in f Minor, op.79 J282. NBC SO (NY), Erich Kleiber, 20 Dec. 1947. Sound restoration (2005) by Maggi Payne, booklet note by Bryce Morrison.  Total time 1:10:25 AAD. UPC # 0 17685-11742 8


Dissatisfied with the traditional concerto form, Busoni created a monumental work lasting 68 minutes which is symphonic in scale and intent, requiring of the pianist virtuosity and stamina of the highest order, yet also a sensitive, even intimate, collaboration with the orchestra. In this this well-proportioned performance by Egon Petri’s foremost pupil Gunnar Johansen, that above all respects Busoni’s large-scale architecture, listeners will hear both the transcendental virtuosity and the poetic sensitivity called for by the score.

Released with the kind cooperation of the Gunnar and Lorraine Johansen Foundation.

 

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