Busoni, Ferruccio. (1866–1924) [Bach, Johann Sebastian. (1685–1750)] [Von Reuter, Florizel. (1890–1985)] Autograph Musical Quotation on a Theme from Bach, inscribed to Von Reuter

Busoni, Ferruccio. (1866–1924) [Bach, Johann Sebastian. (1685–1750)] [Von Reuter, Florizel. (1890–1985)]

Autograph Musical Quotation on a Theme from Bach, inscribed to Von Reuter

Autograph musical quotation from the important composer, who has penned three measures of a three-voice canon on a theme from Bach, and signed and inscribed at the foot to the violinist Florizel von Reuter, dating 1914. The canon uses a fugue subject from Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II (Fugue XIV in F-sharp minor), but introduces a second and a third voice at intervals of a ninth and a tenth. Toning and light mounting remnants; overall fine. 4.25 x 5.25 inches (10.7 x 13.3 cm). Together with two postcard photographs of Busoni and of Florizel von Reuter.

Ferruccio Busoni is particularly known for his arrangements and transcriptions of Bach's works. He comments extensively on the F-sharp minor fugue in his 1916 edition of Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier II. In addition to analyzing the fugue's relationship with its prelude and similarity to other works, he provides several examples of other possible contrapuntal devices not used by Bach: for example, canons at the octave and at the tenth, with different numbers of voices and varying time intervals between the voices' entrances. The present canon is one of many possibilities worked out in a virtuosic display of counterpoint.

Florizel von Reuter was an American-born violinist and composer, a child prodigy who went on to an adult career, mainly in Germany, as distinguished soloist and teacher of violin. He was also a psychic and medium and the author of several books on his alleged mediumistic communications with deceased musicians. (16427)

AMQS Classical Music