Franz Liszt was one of Beethoven's greatest champions and admirers, and his acclaimed transcriptions of the master's nine symphonies stand as testament to the greatness of both men. Through many revisions, Liszt's intrinsi... more »c attention to detail and intimate understanding of Beethoven's compositions resulted in these transcriptions, which are considered some of Liszt's greatest musical achievements. The transcription recorded here is perhaps Beethoven's most well-known work, his Symphony No. 9. The performance is by none other than the legendary Konstantin Scherbakov, who has been hailed as the modern Rachmaninov since he won the first Rachmaninov competition in Moscow in 1983.« less
Franz Liszt was one of Beethoven's greatest champions and admirers, and his acclaimed transcriptions of the master's nine symphonies stand as testament to the greatness of both men. Through many revisions, Liszt's intrinsic attention to detail and intimate understanding of Beethoven's compositions resulted in these transcriptions, which are considered some of Liszt's greatest musical achievements. The transcription recorded here is perhaps Beethoven's most well-known work, his Symphony No. 9. The performance is by none other than the legendary Konstantin Scherbakov, who has been hailed as the modern Rachmaninov since he won the first Rachmaninov competition in Moscow in 1983.
J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 12/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had not expected to like this recording as much as I had the earlier CDs of Konstantin Scherbakov playing Liszt's piano transcriptions of the Beethoven symphonies, and indeed the first time I listened to it I found myself really missing the soloists and chorus in the last movement. But the second time through I found that I could set that aside and listen to it as a PIANO performance, not as a substitute for the 'real thing.' And my goodness, this is spectacular playing on Scherbakov's part! And that is particularly so in that last movement because of all the musical events that come racing pell-mell after each other, often on top of each other. The adagio, a hard thing to bring off on a non-sustaining instrument like the piano, is simply ravishing, and frankly I heard things--inner voices primarily--that usually get covered up in orchestral performances. I followed throughout with an orchestral score and am simply amazed not only how Liszt was able to include almost everything, but at Scherbakov's ability to bring it out.
Thumbs up.
Scott Morrison"
Beethoven's Ninth heard anew
Sam Ostroff | Exeter, NH USA | 11/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The third movement has always struck me as one of profound beauty; and now that poetry shines through as is not possible when an orchestra interprets this. The music making that is achieved here rivals any of Beethoven's other late Piano works. The skill that Konstantin Scherbakov displays as a musician is simply beautiful. His fiery pianism makes you completely forget about the fact that this was originally composed for a full orchestra (granted the Lisztian embellishments may not sit with Beethoven purists). I have found this to be true with all of Scherbakov's interpretations of the Beethoven-Liszt Symphonies (#'s 1+3, 2+5, and 4+6). I recommend all of these recordings wholeheartedly."
A Great Ninth...
Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 01/16/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
Scherbakov does a fine job here: tempi and articulation are excellent--(I wish Scherbakov--or anyone--could have slowed-down and expanded Beethoven's wondrous Adagio [movement 3], but perhaps only Glenn Gould could have done that!)
Recorded sound is excellent."
Brilliant adaptation, splendid performance
Teacup | Assam, India | 03/14/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heard this over the radio. When it was announced I sneered at the thought of a symphony, and a choral one at that, being reduced to being played on a single instrument. When I heard it, I was stunned and overwhelmed.
The only places the transcription fell short was in the opening of the second movement, and in the "ethereal" passages of the last. I plan to get transcription of all the Beethoven symphonies. At the cost, they are a steal."
Divinity
Stefahn Dunn | wollongbar, nsw Australia | 02/15/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Eddie Van Halen is one of the original guitar Gods.
Bless him for putting me onto Beethoven (and for Van Halen Mk 1 too).
Beethovens symphonies are from Heaven.
Von Karajan 1963 is the best I've heard, but Harnoncourt 1991 won't dissappoint.
Amazingly, Franz Liszt captures the essence of a Master of Symphonies and translocates it into the two hands of a pianist. In this case - a very gifted Konstantin Scherbakov.
I'll have the whole set when 7 and 8 arrive.
And lets not forget Naxos.
Who says quality has to be top price ?
These CD's are very cheap - the music is priceless.