FERRUCCIO BUSONI (1866-1924): Arlecchino, IGOR STRAVINSKY (1882-1971): Pulcinella.
Catalogue Number: 01K054
Label: Fabula Classica
Reference: FAB 604
Format: DVD
Price: $39.98
Description: Busoni conceived the idea of Arlecchino after witnessing a performance of Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire, and while the work is by no means atonal, let alone dodecaphonic, its hard-edged economy of means definitely points to Busoni's awareness of change in the winds of early 20th-century music. The language is very close to that of Doktor Faust; although the subject-matter of this 'opera buffa' is ostensibly less weighty than that of the latter, it is notable that both are based on masked, puppet-figure plays, suggesting a less than charitable view of human nature, and the musical material of sections of Arlecchino could have been lifted wholesale from the darkest pages of 'Faust'. 2 DVDs. Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna; David Agler. 16:9 widescreen format. Dolby Stereo or Dolby 5.1 surround or DTS 5.1 surround. NTSC All regions. 113 min.