Liszt the Transcriber

[MN Dave]

I was listening to his Schubert lieder transcriptions last night (Bolet) and having a pleasant time. What do you think of his transcriptions? I guess I've not heard a lot about them.

[Carolus]

Liszt was the most extraordinary transcriptor to the piano that ever existed. His Beethoven's, Berlioz's, Schubert's, Schumann's, Paganini's and many others are unique. Only the LvB 9th.would be enough for made him the greatest. 

[Josquin des Prez]

Liszt is the greatest transcriber that ever lived. Alas, finding a good performance of his works is a bit of a challenge. I have a couple of recordings of his Beethoven symphonies and they tend to pale compared to my favored orchestral versions. Impressive just how prolific he was in this field.

[Opus106]

Yes! The LvB transcriptions are must-listen.

[MN Dave]

Yes! The LvB transcriptions are must-listen.

I've heard 2 and 5. Whose recording do you fellows like?

[Opus106]

I've heard 2 and 5. Whose recording do you fellows like?

I've only heard Scherbakov's, and that was on the radio. There aren't many to choose from, if I remember correctly.

[MN Dave]

What's up with that? I saw a full set of the LvB on Amazon (non-Naxos) but it was oop.

[Opus106]

I see Scherbakov (Naxos), Cyprien Katsaris, and Leslie Howard. And all are available in exchange for your well-earned green-and-whites, brand new.

[Valentin]

Badura-Skoda recorded the 5th which is worth a listen.

[MN Dave]

Is there a handy liszt of his transcriptions?

[Valentin]

Is there a handy liszt of his transcriptions?

I'm not sure about a handy liszt; he was rather prolific. You could have a rummage through this page for starters...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_compositions_by_Franz_Liszt_%28S.351_-_S.999%29

[knight66]

I love the transcription of Beethoven's 9th even more than the symphony itself: Cyprien Katsaris.

He also transcribed quite a few pieces from operas including the Sextet from Lucia and a deal of Wagner.

Mike

[MN Dave]

He also transcribed quite a few pieces from operas including the Sextet from Lucia and a deal of Wagner.

If all opera were transcribed for piano, I would be the biggest opera fan around. 

[MN Dave]

Just picked up a Philips Duo blind. 

# Valse de l'opéra Faust, transcription for piano (after Gounod), S. 407 (LW A208)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Michele Campanella

# Polonaise aus der Opera Eugene Onegin, for piano (after Tchaikovsky), S. 429 (LW A293)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Michele Campanella

# Illustrations du Prophète (3), transcription for piano (after Meyerbeer), S. 414 (LW A165) No. 2 (The Skaters)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Michele Campanella

# Spinnerlied aus Der Fliegenden Holländer, transcription for piano (after Wagner), S. 440 (LW A204)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Alexander Uninsky

# Elsas Brautzug zum Münster, transcription for piano (after Wagner: Lohengrin), S. 445/2 (LW A176/2)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Zoltan Kocsis

# Feierlicher Marsch zum heiligen Gral aus Parsifal, for piano (after Wagner), S. 450 (LW A315)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Zoltan Kocsis

# Widmung (Liebeslied), transcription for piano (after Schumann, I & II), S. 566 (LW A133)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Misha Dichter

# Réminiscences de Norma, transcription for piano (after Bellini), S. 394 (LW A77)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Michele Campanella

# Rigoletto: paraphrase de concert (after Verdi), for piano, S. 434 (LW A187)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Claudio Arrau

# Ernani: paraphrase de concert (I & II), for piano (after Verdi), S. 432 (LW A203)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Claudio Arrau

# Miserere du Trovatore, transcription for piano (after Verdi) , S. 433 (LW A199)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Claudio Arrau

# Salve Maria de Jérusalem (I & II), transcription for piano (after Verdi, I Lombardi), S. 431 (LW A149)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Claudio Arrau

# Aida: Danza sacra e duetto finale, transcription for piano (after Verdi), S. 436 (LW A276)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Claudio Arrau

# Don Carlos: Coro di festa e Marcia funebre, transcription for piano (after Verdi), S. 435 (LW A240)
Composed by Franz Liszt
with Claudio Arrau

[Mandryka]

For Schubert Liszt, the king is really Sofronitsky. Though I agree Bolet is good too. In many ways more natural. But Sofronitsky is exotic and extremely affecting -- especially in Der Mueller und der Bach. Just compare here -- the comparison is illuminating.

First VVS (hold on to your hats)

http://www.youtube.com/v/1M9Ti9YJcSs

Then Bolet (be prepared to sing along)

http://www.youtube.com/v/-LRyeWl_1_8


For Beethoven/Liszt, you should try Gould playing the transcription of Symphony 6. He gets into the music big time, and so makes quite a mesmeric performance of it.

For Bach/Liszt there is a volume from Japan played by Alexis Weissenberg which contains a lot of Bach/Liszt; it used to be available from amazon.co.uk very cheaply. If it's still around then snap it up because it is really outstanding.

Same for Sergio Fiorentino playing BWV. 532 on his Germany concert CDs .

For operatic Liszt -- Bolet owns Tanhaueser . Try the (rather good) CD "Bolet Rediscovered".

That Bolet Rediscovered CD is one of the best bravura lollypop Liszt Cds by the way -- it's repugnantly hedonistic music making in a way: seductive siren singing played with an emphasis on beauty of tone. But Bolet makes more poetry on this CD than he does elsewhere, so you have to listen despite yourself.

[Opus106]

Thanks, Mandryka, for posting those "videos." Loving it, especially at this hour. And thanks for the recommendations, as well.

[springrite]

I have many of the usual Liszt transcriptions so I am venturing into unknown territory now. Just placed the transcriptions of Ferdinand David in my shopping cart!

[Mandryka]

I have many of the usual Liszt transcriptions so I am venturing into unknown territory now. Just placed the transcriptions of Ferdinand David in my shopping cart!

If you want unusual transcriptions try Bach/Rummel -- an excellent CD by Plowright on Hyperion.

Ronald Stevenson's CD called The Tranecendental Tradition is also worth knowing I think -- partly for the Stauss/Grainger and the Gershwin/Grainger and Gluck/Alkan..

And then there's Ervin Nyiregyhazi . I like his transcription of Rachmaninoff's second symphony.

He also has a CD of opera transcriptions which I think is the worst CD ever made by anyone at any time in any genre.

[prémont]

a couple of recordings of his Beethoven symphonies and they tend to pale compared to my favored orchestral versions.

Of course Liszt´s piano transcriptions of Beethovens symphonies do not replace the originals, but they complement them in a most interesting way. One listens to them in another, so to say more elementary way.

I know five complete sets: Katsaris, Scherbakov, Howard, Biret and the Harmonia Mundi pianist-collective. All these sets are worth listening to. I prefer Biret, who´s playing is beautiful and reflective. Tempi are actually slow, but they do not seem slow.

[Mandryka]

Of course Liszt´s piano transcriptions of Beethovens symphonies do not replace the originals, but they complement them in a most interesting way. One listens to them in another, so to say more elementary way.

I know five complete sets: Katsaris, Scherbakov, Howard, Biret and the Harmonia Mundi pianist-collective. All these sets are worth listening to. I prefer Biret, who´s playing is beautiful and reflective. Tempi are actually slow, but they do not seem slow.

That's interesting. I haven't explored those tanscriptions much, though as I said I enjoyed Gould's 6th.

Can you suggest a good Biret CD to start with?