Classical Music Review: Bach-Busoni CD

American Pianist Sara Davis Buechner's Latest Release

Feb 18, 2009

After hearing this latest CD by Sara Buechner one is left with the impression that she is indeed one of the greatest pianists of the present day, and perhaps of all time

Sara Davis Buechner (born David Buechner ) became Sara after a gender change some years ago. Since then she has been amazing audiences and impressing critics throughout the world. Her technical prowess at the keyboard could be said to challenge that of Liszt himself, and surely her palette of tone colors might be compared to that of Chopin.

For Sara does not just have a palette, she is the proud possessor of colors, hues, tints,shades and nuances that seem to be unreachable to other pianists. Her pianissimo passages shimmer, and fortissimo in her hands becomes strong and deep, not strident or pounded as is the case so often these days.

Bach-Busoni CD

In this latest foray into the world of unexplored piano music, Buechner comes up with a varied program consisting of works for two pianos (ably assisted by pianist Raffi Besalyan); the Goldberg Variations; Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in D minor and Improvisations on a Bach Chorale for Two Pianos, again with Besalyan. The Prelude and Fugue in D Major alone is breathtaking in the hands of these artists and is well worth the price of the CD.

Bach purists, and this reviewer is one, may be put off by the texture Busoni adds to Bach's compositions but in my case I was enthralled. The arrangements are inventive and enhance rather than defile the music.

Goldberg Variations

Here Buechner is in her glory as she traverses the path of Bach in a new way...and her virtuosity is evident in the nuances of tone and swiftness of passages. Busoni's arrangement is sparkling and takes away nothing from Bach's original thoughts and ideas. Sara Buechner's playing is superb and fills the listener with longing for more.

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in D minor

Once again Buechner scores a bulls eye with a dramatic and virtuosic reading of this work. One marvels at the insight and inquisitive musical nature of the performer. Huge chords are played with a deep strength emanating from the piano rather than a superficial pushing from above. If there is a quarrel with this concerto it is with Busoni in the second movement.

There is too much here...in effect it loses the meditative quality that the original Bach has in abundance. The exciting last movement shows Buechner at her musical best in a live performance.

Two-Piano Pieces

The two-piano works are given an excellent interpretation by Buechner and Besalyan, and provide a lovely introduction to the other compositions on the CD. The last work, “Improvisation on a Bach Chorale for Two Pianos," is not as successful...again the fault of Mr.Busoni, not the artists, who do a very fine job. After a short while the music becomes tedious.However, it is interesting to hear the work nontheless.

Sara David Buechner continues to surprise us with her eclectic tastes and her willingness to tread where others have feared to go. In conclusion, this CD is one of the best you can purchase and will give enjoyment for years to come. On a scale of one to ten I would not hesitate to give it a twenty.

The copyright of the article Classical Music Review: Bach-Busoni CD in Classical Music Performances is owned by Anya Laurence. Permission to republish Classical Music Review: Bach-Busoni CD in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.