Search - Ferruccio Busoni, Daniell Revenaugh, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :: Piano Concerto Op 39

Establishing a Precedent

J. Spradling | Syracuse, NY | 04/01/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Ogden's recording of the Busoni Piano Concerto, Op. 39, in 1967, with Daniell Revenaugh on the podium, was an achievement eagerly awaited by a small number of musicians and historians in the know. Although the public performance of this concerto had reached a point of almost total neglect, the world was not by any means bereft of those who had intimate knowledge of its stature and of Busoni's standing as a composer and pianist. Indeed, each generation since Busoni included performers who knew and revered this great work. The repertoires of Egon Petri, student of Busoni, and Gunnar Johansen, student of Petri, included this concerto. With the passing of years and the decline of composition which glorifies the highest reaches of true piano technique, it was, thankfully, inevitiable that such a great work would once again see the light of day. Although there were others performing Busoni's Opus 39 at the time Ogden and Revenaugh recorded the concerto for Angel, one must stand in awe and thankfulness for the staggering achievement these men made. This recording, although now dated, should be required listening for anyone playing Busoni and other composers who truly know how to write music for the piano, anyone who loves great performances, and anyone looking for inspired music that is most assuredly edging its way into public performance. This recording is a great achievement."

The primary recording for this monstrous concerto

dv_forever | Michigan, USA | 04/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Ogdon was like many great pianists, an extremely peculiar individual. You can read biographic content on him if you want. For this review, I'm sticking to his bizarre repertoire choices. This gigantic piano concerto, running some 70 minutes with a choral finale smacks of Beethoven's Choral Symphony in it's massive conception. As for the music itself, it's flamboyant, self-satisfied Late Romanticism all the way and for that you can readily fall under it's spell.



Ogdon's dedication, the terrific accompaniment by conductor Revenaugh and the outstanding contribution of orchestra and chorus make this the recording of Busoni's beautiful beast to own. EMI's full, clear and atmospheric recording does justice to the musicians. I would place this recording over the other noted Hamelin and Ohlsson CDs. The price is a complete steal too. If you want Busoni's monster tamed by a masterful pianist, then John Ogdon is your man. As long and over the top as this concerto is, it's a satisfying venture into another musical world, the kind we're never going to see again."

The most gargantuan work dedicated to the noblest of the ins

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 02/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the first bars of the most extensive and ambitious Piano concerto never written before, the well reminded pianist John Ogdon made (to my mind) his greatest musical achievement with this mercurial score ; on the other hand, the Royal Philharmonic conducted by Daniel Revenaugh made a splendid support all the way through, revealing us the kaleidoscopic facets of this symphony with accompaniment of piano.



Your invaluable collection will not be complete, in case you do without of this album, whose bargain prize justifies plainly your inversion.



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