Comedy Overture

Eine Lustspielouvertüre
Concert overture by Ferruccio Busoni
The composer around 1900
English	Comedy Overture
Catalogue	BV 245
Opus	38
Composed	1897 (1897)/1904

The Eine Lustspielouvertüre (Comedy Overture) Op. 38 (BV 245) for orchestra is a concert overture by Ferruccio Busoni; it was composed in 1897 and revised in 1904. The main theme appears at once, played by the strings. The second subject follows on clarinet. A new section introduces the development. In recapitulation the second theme is reworked for the cellos and contrabasses over a timpani pedal point. The work ends with a lively coda.

Selected recordings

• NDR Symphony Orchestra; Werner Andreas Albert, conductor; CPO Records 999 161-2
• Philharmonia Orchestra; Adrian Boult, conductor; Classical Society CSCD 124
• BBC Philharmonic; Neeme Järvi, conductor; Chandos 10302

References

• David Ewen, Encyclopedia of Concert Music. New York; Hill and Wang, 1959.