Bach, Johann Sebastian: Präludium und Fuge D-dur

Aside from the violin Chaconne (HN 557) and the ten Chorale Preludes for organ (HN 1293), the Prelude and Fugue in D major ranks among the best-known piano transcriptions Busoni fashioned from J. S. Bach’s works. Considerable evidence suggests that he viewed these three pieces as paradigmatic examples of his transcription technique. Busoni’s explicit labelling of the Prelude and Fugue “for concert performance” in the title already serves as an indication of the heightened virtuosic requirements. And, indeed, here Busoni demands that the pianist have perfectly mastered the keyboard, always with the aim of delegating to the piano, effectively but still in the spirit of Bach, the mighty sound-world of the organ work. This Urtext edition is heartily recommended to all those pianists who have ever wanted, finally, to pull out all the stops on the piano.