Orchestral Suite No. 2, Op. 34a Geharnischte Suite Berceuse élégiaque, Op. 42 Concertino for Clarinet and Small Orchestra, Op. 48 Sarabande and Cortege, Op. 51 Tanzwalzer, Op. 53 Lustspiel-Ouvertüre, Op. 38 (1897, revised 1904) Indianische Fantasie, Op. 44 Gesang vom Reigen der Geister, Op. 47 Die Brautwahl, Op. 45
This special re-issue gathers the two albums in Neeme Järvi’s exploration, with the BBC Philharmonic, of the unjustly neglected works of the Italian composer Ferruccio Busoni. Those two volumes, sold here for the price of one, were released to critical acclaim in 2002 and 2005, respectively. The Gramophone reviewer stated: ‘Järvi’s performances on his two Busoni collections are the most consistently sympathetic I’ve heard in some years and they’re sure – not least because of the series’ comprehensiveness – to enhance Busoni’s reputation as an orchestral composer.’ The set spans the varied musical life of an iconic twentieth-century composer, who around WWI shifted from a late romantic style (heard in the Orchestral Suite and Lustspiel-Ouvertüre) to a more personal, loosely tonal style which culminated in the final masterpiece, Doktor Faust, two movements from which, Sarabande and Cortege, are featured here. Recording: Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester; 8 and 9 March 2001 (CD 1) & 24 and 25 March 2004 (CD 2)
