Busoni’s opera Doktor Faust is unquestionably one of the experimental operatic masterpieces of the twentieth-century. The composer wrote his own libretto and worked on the composition for nearly two decades, although it remained unfinished on his death in 1924. Doktor Faust was completed the following year by Busoni’s pupil, Philipp Jarnach.

This recording of a 1959 BBC broadcast is of a shortened concert version created by Sir Adrian Boult, in consultation with baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau.

The booklet includes an introduction to the recording written by John Amis, who introduced the original broadcast on the BBC in 1959. The synopsis is taken from his broadcast notes and he offers his unique insights on the soloists and Sir Adrian Boult.

Sir Adrian Boult was Principal Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra from 1950 to 1957. During his tenure he toured Germany and Russia with the Orchestra and made numerous recordings. Prior to this he was the BBC’s Director of Music and Principal Conductor of the newly formed BBC Symphony Orchestra. He conducted at the coronation services in 1937 and 1953, and was knighted for services to music. He died in 1983 aged 93.

Cast:
- Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau: Faust
- Richard Lewis: Mephistopheles
- Ian Wallace: Wagner
- Heather Harper: Duchess of Parma
- John Cameron: Duke of Parma

Recorded live at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, London, on 13 November 1959.