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CD Review

Ferruccio Busoni

Bach Piano Transcriptions – 2

• Fantasia, Adagio & Fugue
• Chaconne from Partita in D minor
• Prélude & Fugue in D Major BWV 532
• Prélude & Fugue in E minor BWV 533
• 6 Choral Prélude Transcriptions

Nikolai Demidenko, piano
Hyperion CDA67324 71m DDD

Hyperion now release their second installment in this laudable Bach transcription series, an interesting and erudite addition to the Busoni discography. Busoni's reputation as a singular interpreter of Bach was well known and these titanic transcriptions continue to confirm that.

The opening Fantasia, Adagio and Fugue is beautifully played by Demidenko who penetrates into the deep mystery that is prevalent in this work. The wonderful Chorale Prélude, 'Wachtet auf und runs die stimme' is also impressively paced in this version. The two Préludes and Fugues in E minor and D Major reveal Busoni's inimitable penchant for arranging Bach's music in a modernistic way. It almost goes without saying that Demidenko penetrates to the heart of this music with a soul-searching capability that demonstrates both composer's uniquely superb art. Finally after a short election of lovely Chorale Préludes is the exquisite rendering of the monumental Chaconne in D minor from the Partita #2 for solo violin, this is Busoni at his grandiloquent finest.

Another superb rendering from Demidenko and this completes a disc of marvelous poetic dexterity and imaginative vision; we await the next volume in this series with eager anticipation.

Copyright © 2002, Gerald Fenech