Opinions? I recently picked up the Gould version of the 6th symphony, and actually like it - espeically the first movement - a great deal. I've read many believe that Gould's interpretation is far too slow, but I think it works for a solo piano version rather than full orchestra.
Do others work? I can't imagine the 5th working with solo piano...not enough sturm und drang, you need the full power of the full symphony.
But Liszt has done an absolutely wonderful work with the extreme level of constraints. You'd think the whole thing will sound weird or even diminished in power, but it doesn't, to my ears at least. (Of course there are some 'off' moments in Symphony No. 9.) Unless I'm mistaken, the recording I heard was that of Konstantin Scherbakov.
Gould's recording of the 5th is extremely good (see) here (http://www.amazon.com/Glenn-Gould-Beethovens-Symphony-Transcribed/dp/B000UH8HS0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1222329657&sr=1-1)
You might also like to get this set (http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Liszt-Symphonies-Nos-1-9/dp/B0000D8HDF/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1222329770&sr=1-2) as well. It is excellent and could make you rethink about how LvB orchestrated his works.
I second the recommendation for Katsaris, very powerful playing guided by an almost orchestral vision.
As for other alternatives, I find Scherbakov merely OK and I really like Leslie Howard on Hyperion (he can be very impressive).
Yikes! There are more options out there than I realized! BTW, what was Liszt's inital reaosn for the transcriptions? was it bc travelling orchestras were expesive back in the day, and this was a more efficient means to get the symphonies to the people? Was Beethoven in Wormwood Scrubs for an LSD party at his home and this was Liszt's means of keeping B's music in front of the people? And who recognizes the Rolling Stones reference?
Quote from: adamdavid80 on September 25, 2008, 08:16:19 AM
Yikes! There are more options out there than I realized! BTW, what was Liszt's inital reaosn for the transcriptions? was it bc travelling orchestras were expesive back in the day, and this was a more efficient means to get the symphonies to the people? Was Beethoven in Wormwood Scrubs for an LSD party at his home and this was Liszt's means of keeping B's music in front of the people? And who recognizes the Rolling Stones reference?
Yes, that's basically it; a means of enjoying these works without hiring an orchestra though the Liszt transcriptions in that they are for two hands when many transcriptions were for four hands to give more of a symphonic sound. Liszt succeeds admirably with two hands (but they are very difficult to play)
I remember reading that Liszt wanted to do the same with the string quartets, but never was able to.
These are a nice option to those who want to study certain aspects of Beethoven's symphonies; you don't have to wade through the orchestration. I've listened to a recording, but the last of the 8th still sounds impossible.
Quote from: The Six on October 07, 2008, 06:44:59 PM
These are a nice option to those who want to study certain aspects of Beethoven's symphonies; you don't have to wade through the orchestration.
Very true. Especially, as we learnt from our friend 71dB, since Beethoven wasn't really good at orchestrating.