Ogdon's Busoni

[minor9th]

I see there is a new version of three Busoni pieces played by John Ogdon on Altarus. I have the same three on a Continuum CD. Is this the same recording simply re-issued or is it a different recording? If the latter, how does it differ sonically and interpretively from the older one? Is it worth having both? Thank you.

[ahinton]

I see there is a new version of three Busoni pieces played by John Ogdon on Altarus. I have the same three on a Continuum CD. Is this the same recording simply re-issued or is it a different recording? If the latter, how does it differ sonically and interpretively from the older one? Is it worth having both? Thank you.

This relase has been around now for quite a few months. We understand that the pieces have been re-edited, so it is not precisely the same as the Continuum CD. You may also note that Altarus has recently released another Busoni CD with Ogdon - previously unreleased material, including another completely different performance of Fantasia Contrappuntistica (which is, of course, also on the other one).

Best,

Alistair

[minor9th]

Thank you for the clarification. I have the other Busoni (and Bach-Busoni)--wow! Whether or not he was in command of his faculties, there is certainly some commanding playing on that CD! I think I'll get the newest CD--Altarus claims to have remastered it, too, so I imagine it sounds better.

[ahinton]

Thank you for the clarification. I have the other Busoni (and Bach-Busoni)--wow! Whether or not he was in command of his faculties, there is certainly some commanding playing on that CD! I think I'll get the newest CD--Altarus claims to have remastered it, too, so I imagine it sounds better.

I can certainly recommend that you do! Enjoy!

Best,

Alistair

[Ruro]

I recently become fascinated in this piece actually, and I'm not sure if this is a common misconception or not, but people seem to think it is a rival of the Ninth Symphony from Beethoven - what was Busoni's intention? I mean, it could merely be the case he saw Beethoven had done it, and liked the idea and did one himself *shrugs*

Anyway, I discovered Hamelin made a recording, brought it, and... I dunno, I think I prefer my current recording by Banfield, it's alot better in some places :/ The first movement for example, but I guess it's my personal taste talking really.

Still, Hamelins has some great moments! I actually read up on the Reviews for it to see what others thought of it, and generally is seen as one of the best, rivalling Ogdons old recording. Apparently they say Ogdons performance balances too much in favour of the Piano, and Hamelins is vice versa O_o I can agree Hamelin is shaded out a fair bit, can't comment on the Ogdon though, not heard it!

Still, wonderful piece! Would love to hear Ogdon's sometime ^_^ Piano Domination!!

[ahinton]

I recently become fascinated in this piece actually, and I'm not sure if this is a common misconception or not, but people seem to think it is a rival of the Ninth Symphony from Beethoven - what was Busoni's intention? I mean, it could merely be the case he saw Beethoven had done it, and liked the idea and did one himself *shrugs*

"This piece"? From what you go on to write, it seems clear that you are writing about Busoni's piano concerto, which hadn't previously been mentioned in this thread. I've never heard of that piece being thought of as a rival of the Ninth Symphony from Beethoven. Beethoven did, of course, write a Fantasy for piano, chorus and orchestra, although this is hardly one of his more significant works - certainly not as much so in his oeuvre as Busoni's piano concerto is in his...

Best,

Alistair

[minor9th]

To clarify, the three pieces to which I refer are Fantasia Contrappuntistica, Fantasia after Bach, and Toccata.

[ahinton]

To clarify, the three pieces to which I refer are Fantasia Contrappuntistica, Fantasia after Bach, and Toccata.

I know - it wasn't the pieces to which you were referring that I was in any doubt about, but what it was that Ruro was referring to! (just to try to clear up any confusion)...

Best,

Alistair

[Ruro]

"This piece"? From what you go on to write, it seems clear that you are writing about Busoni's piano concerto, which hadn't previously been mentioned in this thread. I've never heard of that piece being thought of as a rival of the Ninth Symphony from Beethoven. Beethoven did, of course, write a Fantasy for piano, chorus and orchestra, although this is hardly one of his more significant works - certainly not as much so in his oeuvre as Busoni's piano concerto is in his...

Haha, f***, no wonder I stopped posting on forums, I'm always so off my ball

To clarify, the three pieces to which I refer are Fantasia Contrappuntistica, Fantasia after Bach, and Toccata.

Although Ahinton in his first post mention the Fantasia Contrappuntistica, my mind run rampant and having only really heard his Concerto... I just went rambling ^_^;; My apologies

(just to try to clear up any confusion)

Yeah, I started the confusion, my bad guys - ya'll continue if there's any left now

[ahinton]

Haha, f***, no wonder I stopped posting on forums, I'm always so off my ball
Although Ahinton in his first post mention the Fantasia Contrappuntistica, my mind run rampant and having only really heard his Concerto... I just went rambling ^_^;; My apologies
Yeah, I started the confusion, my bad guys - ya'll continue if there's any left now

OK - no worries; these things happen. I think that any possible confusion is now cleared up once and for all!

Best,

Alistair