Marie Benoit's Diary

A pianist from The Ukraine in Senglea" published in October 2022 detailing Mr Zammit's performance at a 19th century salon-type setting: The first to perform that evening was Karol Zammit who was present with his teacher Yvette Grixti. He played with great competence The Bach-Busoni Chaconne D minor which he explained is a transcription of a work for solo violin, bearing the same name, which was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, supposedly upon being informed of the passing of his first wife, Maria Barbara Bach. Karol explained: "The original work is considered to be amongst the finest in all of the repertoire for solo violin, and has occupied the thoughts of many a great composer, resulting in numerous transcriptions, including a piano transcription by Johannes Brahms, to be played using only the left hand.

Ferrucio Busoni's transcription, the final version of which was published in 1916, is considered a uniquely transcendent accomplishment as Busoni manages to reconcile the original intent of Bach with the style and manner of writing favoured amongst his contemporaries."

The original material consisted of two sets of variations, with the theme on which these were based occurring at the beginning and the conclusion of the piece as well as between the two contrasting sets of variations. Whilst Busoni kept strictly to this structure, he also managed to introduce a variety of harmonic and melodic embellishments leading to a two-pronged effect. Firstly, the music was given a more pianistic flair, appealing to the musical culture of the time. Secondly, Busoni's carefully crafted additional material gave listeners a whole different perspective on this already popular piece of music, introducing them to what seemed like a new world of sound."