Bach Piano Transcriptions, No. 2
Busoni's transcriptions of Bach organ works are among the glories of modern piano music, and all but doctrinaire followers of authentic period practice will enjoy them. Bach's music works well on the modern piano and Busoni's transcriptions add elements of color and fantasy that, however anachronistic, are fascinating to hear. Demidenko is a Russian-trained virtuoso with a monster technique who makes child's play of these often difficult pieces. He tears into the opening Fantasie (BWV 906) with abandon, produces an affecting Adagio (BWV 968) and a firmly articulated Fugue (BWV 906), which was seamlessly completed by Busoni. The big Prelude and Fugue (BWV 532) is thrilling, and the six Choral Preludes are lovingly done. The great violin Chaconne gets a big performance, too, fitting for a piece that Busoni metamorphosed into a cornerstone of Romantic piano literature.--Dan Davis