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Liszt's Two-Piano Transcription of Beethoven's Ninth Symphon

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 04/30/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike some, I don't object to piano transcriptions of orchestral music; in fact, some of it I like a lot. And I enjoyed Cyprien Katsaris's recordings of Liszt's solo piano transcriptions of all the Beethoven symphonies Beethoven/Liszt: Symphonies Nos. 1-9. I had never heard Liszt's two-piano transcription of the Ninth and was eager to hear this performance. But I have to say that I was brought up short again and again by it. I don't know whether this is due to Liszt's transcription per se or to Ashley Wass's and Leon McCawley's performance. I suspect it is a little of both. In spite of Liszt's indication that he had made a faithful transcription of the orchestral original, I could swear I hear extra counterpoint especially in the finale. But even that isn't so much what I didn't like as what sounds to me like a rather superficial run-through by the two pianists, each of whom I generally admire. Especially in the Scherzo their performance sounds almost perfunctory. The same objection obtains in the recitative portion of the finale. I should think that in their minds the pianists would be singing the words of the soloist there, but it sounds like they just want to get the recitative over with. On the whole the performance of the symphony is faster than usual orchestral timings and this, in my opinion, lessens the impact of the Adagio, which frankly sounds a little rinky-tink as a result of the faster reading coupled with the basic sound of the pianos which are, after all, percussion instruments incapable of sustaining tones in a slow tempo. (Don't get me wrong. I love the sound of the piano and am a former serious pianist. A great pianist can give the illusion of sustained tones in such works as Beethoven's late sonata slow movements, and that simply doesn't happen here.)



In all fairness, there are some lovely touches in this performance, not least in the great choral portions of the finale and in the first suspenseful and then declamatory opening of the first movement. But for reasons described above I cannot recommend this recording with every much enthusiasm.



Scott Morrison"

A Nice Surprise

Socrates Stewart | Owings Mills, MD | 05/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, purists might not like the approach, Beethoven's famous 9th symphony transcribed on two pianos? Maybe the idea seems a little quirky on the surface, but this recording is sure a fun listening experience. When listening to the whole orchestra and chorus playing Beethoven's grand symphony might be a little demanding, what a beautiful way to enjoy the familiar themes and melodies. Stick this one in the CD player with some other solo piano music, jazz or classical, to entertain some dinner guests and watch for the smiles on their faces as they start to recognize Beethoven's 9th on piano.



This isn't for everyone to be sure, but I thoroughly enjoy it."