Mozart

[Florestan]

I'm not saying it's true. I was just remembering what I had read somewhere. It might or might not be true, but imho it's plausible. Be it as it may, the genuine friendship and mutual respect these two geniuses had for each other is amazing. Great composers are not quite famous in this respect.

[Madiel]

The original version from the 19th century has friends in general saying that Haydn's old for a trip. It has Mozart separately saying they might not meet again. Whether Mozart meant that he thought HAYDN would die is a matter of interpretation, he is not reported as actually meaning he doesn't think Haydn will survive the trip.

Part of the framing in The Genius of Mozart is that Mozart himself was already unwell and overworked, constantly hustling to try to get commissioned because he didn't have a steady, reliable job. The only thing anyone seemed to have to say about Haydn's health is that he was (relatively) old, to which Haydn responded accurately enough that he was still in good shape.

The idea that Haydn's trip to London was some kind of suicide mission is the height of 19th century tragic romantic fantasy.

[Mandryka]

I'm not saying it's true. I was just remembering what I had read somewhere. It might or might not be true, but imho it's plausible. Be it as it may, the genuine friendship and mutual respect these two geniuses had for each other is amazing. Great composers are not quite famous in this respect.

Why do we think that Haydn respected Mozart? (I think I've asked this question to you or someone else here before, but honestly I can't remember the response.)

[Florestan]

Why do we think that Haydn respected Mozart? (I think I've asked this question to you or someone else here before, but honestly I can't remember the response.)

"Before God and as an honest man, I tell you that your son is the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name" --- Haydn to Leopold Mozart

"If only I could impress Mozart's inimitable works on the soul of every friend of music, and the souls of high personages in particular, as deeply, with the same musical understanding and with the same deep feeling, as I understand and feel them, the nations would vie with each other to possess such a jewel." --- Haydn to Franz Rott

[Karl Henning]

"Before God and as an honest man, I tell you that your son is the greatest composer known to me either in person or by name" --- Haydn to Leopold Mozart

"If only I could impress Mozart's inimitable works on the soul of every friend of music, and the souls of high personages in particular, as deeply, with the same musical understanding and with the same deep feeling, as I understand and feel them, the nations would vie with each other to possess such a jewel." --- Haydn to Franz Rott

Knew I could rely on you, here!

[Mandryka]

A request. Does anyone have the booklet from Katsaris's Mozart/Bizet Don Juan? I've been told the essay is interesting, philosophical, about the nature of transcription. Is it? Can you make scans for me?

[Florestan]

A request. Does anyone have the booklet from Katsaris's Mozart/Bizet Don Juan? I've been told the essay is interesting, philosophical, about the nature of transcription. Is it? Can you make scans for me?

I wouldn't read too much into it. It's just one out of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of transcriptions that were the norm back then. Probably more competently done than the average, given it's Bizet, but seriously, Don Giovanni without voices and orchestra? No amount of philosophical rationalization can ever make it work.

[Mandryka]

Well, I'd like to see the booklet, not least because I'm interested in Berio's transcriptions of his own music and Mahler's.

I wouldn't read too much into it. It's just one out of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of transcriptions that were the norm back then. Probably more competently done than the average, given it's Bizet, but seriously, Don Giovanni without voices and orchestra? No amount of philosophical rationalization can ever make it work.

[Iota]

I wouldn't read too much into it. It's just one out of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of transcriptions that were the norm back then. Probably more competently done than the average, given it's Bizet, but seriously, Don Giovanni without voices and orchestra? No amount of philosophical rationalization can ever make it work.

This reminds me that however lovely the music may be, Wagner's Liebestod done without soprano loses 99% of its magic for me. Perhaps a bit weird, but there we are.

[San Antone]

I wouldn't read too much into it. It's just one out of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of transcriptions that were the norm back then. Probably more competently done than the average, given it's Bizet, but seriously, Don Giovanni without voices and orchestra? No amount of philosophical rationalization can ever make it work.

Your is one opinion, however, I find much to enjoy in Liszt's opera transcriptions.

[Florestan]

Your is one opinion, however, I find much to enjoy in Liszt's opera transcriptions.

I like them too but they are not the issue. I was talking specifically about Bizet's transcription of the whole Don Giovanni, number by number.

[San Antone]

I like them too but they are not the issue. I was talking specifically about Bizet's transcription of the whole Don Giovanni, number by number.

Ah, I was not aware of the work or the recording.



"Georges Bizet transcribed the entire opera for piano solo at the behest of Heugel & Cie, who published it in 1866. Since Bizet was a virtuoso pianist, his writing for the keyboard is unsurprisingly idiomatic and effective. Who even knew that this arrangement existed? None other than the world's most indefatigable transcription maniac, Cyprien Katsaris!" (Jed Distler for Classics Today).

I am listening right now, and while I cannot imagine listening to all 2 hours and 37 minutes - the overture sounds really good.

 

[lordlance]

Your is one opinion, however, I find much to enjoy in Liszt's opera transcriptions.

Generally I don't have issues with them. Perhaps it reflects my own distaste of opera because hearing the Wagner reductions (the bleeding chunks as I know) does feel like a futile exercise (although in the 19th century they must've served their core purpose of proselytizing the music.)