victor Nicoara’s “Polyphonic Dreams”: A Cosmic Fugue Thicket Celebrating Busoni’s Legacy
in 2024, the world marks the 100th anniversary of the death of Ferruccio Busoni, the enigmatic composer whose works continue to inspire and challenge musicians and listeners alike. Romanian pianist and composer victor Nicoara, based in Berlin, has risen to the occasion with his latest album, Polyphonic Dreams. This release is not just a tribute to Busoni but a bold exploration of contrapuntal music,weaving together works by Bach,Busoni,Mason,Sitsky,and Nicoara himself.
The album, released under the Hänssler label, is a masterful interweaving of polyphonic pieces that span centuries, from 1720 to 2023. At its core are Busoni’s Seven Short Pieces for the Cultivation of Polyphonic Playing, BV 296 and the monumental Contrapuntal Fantasy, BV 256. Nicoara’s programming creates a seamless narrative, connecting these works with Bach’s Sinfonia No. 9 in F Minor, BWV 759 in Busoni’s edition. As Nicoara explains, “Bach and Busoni are an inextricably linked team of innovative compositional power and divine spiritual mission.”
A Journey Through Time and Sound
Table of Contents
The album opens with Busoni’s Seven Short pieces, composed in 1923. While the title suggests brevity, the pieces are anything but simple. As an example, No. 6 “After Mozart” Adagio clocks in at 3:46 minutes, while No. 7 “with application of III. Pedals, Andantino tranquillo” stretches to 4:11 minutes. Three of these pieces (Nos. 3, 4, and 7) served as thematic templates for Busoni’s opera Doktor Faustus. Nicoara’s interpretation highlights the modernity and complexity of these works, wich are as much about technical virtuosity as they are about emotional depth.
Nicoara’s commentary on the seventh piece,Studies for Sostenuto Pedal,is particularly evocative: “It reminds one of the dissolution of form into feelings,which he strived for in his ‘Berceuse élégiaque’ of 1909. The subtlest modulations and an elusive impetus lead the music towards a heavenly resolution. The atmosphere is fully worthy of the opera’s mystical ending.”
Homages and Cross-References
The album also features works by contemporary composers who draw inspiration from Busoni.British composer Benedict Mason contributes Pastoral,a Short piece on the Care of the Species,dedicated to andrew Ball and filled with references to Busoni’s use of the sostenuto pedal. Nicoara’s own arrangements, such as the organ solo from Doktor Faustus and After Weill, pay homage to Busoni’s student Kurt Weill, creating a bridge between past and present.
Australian composer Larry Sitsky’s Canonical Nocturne, written in 1974, further enriches the album with its cross-references to Busoni’s Nocturne Symphonique. Sitsky,who presented his own version of Doktor Faustus in 2007,adds another layer of complexity to this intricate musical tapestry.
The Bold venture: Contrapuntal Fantasy
The centerpiece of the album is Busoni’s Contrapuntal Fantasy, BV 256, a nearly 40-minute work that references Bach’s unfinished Counterpoint XVI from The Art of the Fugue. Nicoara describes it as “an architectural sketch that would illustrate the form of the Fantasia contrappuntistica, much as modern architects build new structures around old buildings.” This piece is a daring reimagining of Bach’s strict counterpoint, blending it with busoni’s visionary style.
Nicoara’s performance avoids the trap of becoming overly theoretical, instead delivering a passionate and immersive experience. The listener is transported to a “planetary musical experimental station,” witnessing a mystical, futuristic experiment that defies easy categorization.
Key Highlights of polyphonic Dreams
| Track | composer | Key feature |
|——————————-|———————–|———————————————————————————|
| Seven Short Pieces, BV 296 | Ferruccio Busoni | Thematic templates for Doktor Faustus; technical and emotional depth. |
| Contrapuntal Fantasy, BV 256| Ferruccio Busoni | A bold reimagining of Bach’s Counterpoint XVI; nearly 40 minutes of complexity.|
| Sinfonia no. 9 in F Minor | Johann Sebastian Bach | Busoni’s edition; a divine conclusion to the album.|
| Pastoral | Benedict Mason | A contemporary homage to Busoni’s sostenuto pedal techniques. |
| Canonical Nocturne | Larry Sitsky | Cross-references to Busoni’s nocturne Symphonique. |
A Unique Sound Document
Polyphonic Dreams is more than an album; it is a testament to the enduring legacy of Busoni and the timeless appeal of contrapuntal music. Nicoara’s performance is a masterclass in balancing technical precision with emotional depth, making this album a must-listen for classical music enthusiasts.
As Dr. Ingobert Waltenberger aptly puts it, this is “a unique sound document in its forward-pushing perseverance, artistic summit storming, and piercing intensity.”
Listen to Polyphonic Dreams and immerse yourself in a cosmic fugue thicket that bridges centuries, styles, and emotions.
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Explore more about Victor Nicoara’s work and his dedication to Busoni’s legacy on his official website.
Victor Nicoara’s “Polyphonic Dreams”: A Cosmic Fugue Thicket Celebrating Busoni’s Legacy
In 2024,the world commemorates the 100th anniversary of Ferruccio Busoni’s passing,a visionary composer whose works continue to inspire musicians and listeners alike. Romanian pianist and composer Victor nicoara, based in Berlin, has risen to the occasion with his latest album, Polyphonic Dreams. Released under the Hänssler label, this album is a bold exploration of contrapuntal music, weaving together works by Bach, Busoni, Mason, Sitsky, and Nicoara himself. To delve deeper into this remarkable project, Senior Editor of World-Today-News.com, Clara Hartmann, sat down with Dr. Matthias Reinhardt, a renowned musicologist and expert on Busoni’s legacy, to discuss the album’s importance and its place in the classical music canon.
The Timeless Appeal of busoni’s Polyphony
Clara Hartmann: Dr. Reinhardt, thank you for joining us. Victor Nicoara’s polyphonic Dreams is being hailed as a masterful tribute to Busoni.What makes Busoni’s polyphonic works so enduring, and how does nicoara’s album capture their essence?
Dr. Matthias Reinhardt: Thank you, Clara. Busoni’s polyphonic works are a interesting blend of technical brilliance and emotional depth. He was a composer who looked both backward and forward—drawing inspiration from Bach while pushing the boundaries of modern music. Nicoara’s album captures this duality beautifully. By pairing Busoni’s Seven Short Pieces and Contrapuntal fantasy with works by Bach and contemporary composers, Nicoara creates a narrative that spans centuries. It’s not just a tribute; it’s a dialog between eras.
Clara Hartmann: The Seven Short Pieces are particularly intriguing. Despite their name, they’re anything but simple. Can you elaborate on their significance?
Dr. Matthias Reinhardt: Absolutely. These pieces, composed in 1923, are a microcosm of Busoni’s artistic vision. They’re exercises in polyphony, yes, but they’re also deeply expressive. For example, the seventh piece, Studies for Sostenuto Pedal, is a haunting exploration of texture and atmosphere. Nicoara’s interpretation is particularly striking—he brings out the modernity in these works, highlighting their emotional complexity alongside their technical demands.
Bridging the Past and Present
Clara Hartmann: The album also features works by contemporary composers like Benedict Mason and Larry Sitsky. How do these pieces fit into the overall narrative?
Dr. Matthias reinhardt: Mason’s Pastoral and Sitsky’s Canonical Nocturne are fascinating additions.Mason’s piece, with its references to Busoni’s sostenuto pedal techniques, feels like a contemporary echo of Busoni’s innovations. Sitsky’s canonical Nocturne,on the other hand,is a direct homage to Busoni’s Nocturne Symphonique. These works create a bridge between Busoni’s era and our own,showing how his ideas continue to resonate with modern composers.
clara hartmann: Nicoara’s own arrangements, such as the organ solo from Doktor Faustus, also play a key role. How do these fit into the album’s structure?
Dr. Matthias Reinhardt: Nicoara’s arrangements are a testament to his deep understanding of busoni’s legacy. By including the organ solo from Doktor Faustus,he ties the album to one of Busoni’s most ambitious works. The arrangement of Kurt Weill’s After Weill is another highlight—it’s a nod to Busoni’s influence on his students and a reminder of his role as a mentor and innovator.
A Cosmic Fugue Thicket
clara Hartmann: The album has been described as a “cosmic fugue thicket.” What does this phrase mean, and how does it reflect the album’s themes?
Dr. Matthias Reinhardt: The phrase captures the album’s dense, interwoven textures and its exploration of polyphony.A fugue is, by nature, a complex form—it’s about voices intertwining, creating a rich tapestry of sound.Nicoara’s programming mirrors this structure, with each piece building on the last to create a cohesive whole. The “cosmic” aspect speaks to the album’s ambition—it’s not just about music; it’s about connecting different eras, styles, and emotions.
Clara Hartmann: Dr. Ingobert Waltenberger called the album a “unique sound document.” Do you agree with this assessment?
dr. Matthias Reinhardt: Absolutely. Nicoara’s performance is a masterclass in balancing technical precision with emotional depth. He doesn’t just play the notes—he brings out the soul of the music. This album is more than a collection of pieces; it’s a journey through time and sound, a celebration of Busoni’s legacy, and a testament to the enduring power of polyphony.
Looking Ahead
Clara Hartmann: As we mark the 100th anniversary of Busoni’s death,what do you hope listeners will take away from Polyphonic Dreams?
Dr. Matthias Reinhardt: I hope listeners will come away with a deeper thankfulness for Busoni’s genius and his influence on modern music.Nicoara’s album is a reminder that great art transcends time—it speaks to us across centuries, connecting us to the past while pointing the way forward. For anyone who loves classical music,Polyphonic Dreams is a must-listen.
Clara Hartmann: Thank you, Dr. Reinhardt, for your insights. It’s been a pleasure discussing this remarkable album with you.
Dr.Matthias Reinhardt: Thank you, Clara. It’s always a joy to talk about Busoni and the unbelievable musicians who keep his legacy alive.
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Explore more about Victor Nicoara’s work and his dedication to Busoni’s legacy on his official website.
