Ferruccio Busoni achieved great fame as a pianist and composer during his lifetime. Born in Empoli, near Florence, he began composing at an early age writing for the piano, and later, chamber pieces, vocal and orchestral works, and operas. According to Busoni, the Lustspiel Overture was written in a single night in the summer of 1897. Some revisions followed in 1904. The cheerful main theme introduced by the strings is followed by a lyrical second subject from the clarinet. With sparkling orchestral writing, the piece energetically develops then restates its main theme, ending with a lively conclusion.