Rachmaninov was a first-of-April baby, and a big favourite of mine, but I held back and stuck to the lesser-known choice of Ferruccio Busoni, born on this day in 1866 in Empoli, Italy. A pianist himself, he composed quite a lot of pieces, acknowledging the influence and thematic use of other composers such as Bach and Chopin.
However, I was caught by the Indianisches items... having travelled in the United States, he connected with a lady who had been studying the songs and sounds of the Native Americans, producing a book which she passed on to him. Busoni did not like how the Indians were being treated... You can read a bit more about that if you wish, over on this linked page. Here, though, is one of the piano pieces inspired by the Indian Harvest Songs...
That is very interesting music!
ReplyDeleteHe was a very talented musician. He even helped redesign a piano that had extended (96) keys instead of the usual 88...to facilitate his transcriptions of Bach Organ works for piano.
Interesting how he got interested in North American songs and sounds.
ReplyDeleteit is mighty and there is no room for more tunes.. only this ones...
ReplyDeleteThis was a pretty piece and I enjoyed it. Happy April!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds joyful, and the treatment of the American Indian was (and is) anything but. Marc-André Hamelin has always been keen to explore lesser known composers.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Glad to listen. Greetings.
ReplyDeleteThe rise and fall cadence is quite unique, I feel.
ReplyDeleteVery nice YAM. I liked the colors of greens and blues on the video....and that is no April Fool
ReplyDeleteHugs Cecilia
I have always been fascinated by our Native Americans and was horrified my entire life at how they were treated and still are treated. I see no greens/blues on video. I also wonder how human fingers can play that fast, wow.. I don't here anything like the music of the Native Americans, although it is fascinating..
ReplyDeleteAn interesting piece, a bit like a stormy day....
ReplyDeleteInteresting indeed!
ReplyDeleteEvery composer has their own specific style, but this Busoni composition is truly unusual, and his interest in the music of American indigenous peoples does not surprise me, that music is very interesting
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