Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 1-9 Transcribed by Liszt [Box Set] (2006)

The Naxos box Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 Transcribed for Piano by Franz Liszt consists of Volumes 15, 18, 12, 19, and 21 of the label's regular Liszt Complete Piano Music edition boxed up in that order. All of the symphonies are played by the excellent Russian pianist Konstantin Scherbakov, whose no nonsense interpretations of these ultra-difficult Liszt transcriptions are very crisp, succinct, and emphasize the classicism inherent in Beethoven's music, even in the Symphony No. 9. Scherbakov clearly approaches Liszt's ... Read More

The Naxos box Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 1-9 Transcribed for Piano by Franz Liszt consists of Volumes 15, 18, 12, 19, and 21 of the label's regular Liszt Complete Piano Music edition boxed up in that order. All of the symphonies are played by the excellent Russian pianist Konstantin Scherbakov, whose no nonsense interpretations of these ultra-difficult Liszt transcriptions are very crisp, succinct, and emphasize the classicism inherent in Beethoven's music, even in the Symphony No. 9. Scherbakov clearly approaches Liszt's transcriptions as a medium through which Beethoven's symphonic music can be expressed on the piano, and not a point of departure in its own respect. Even though Liszt's transcriptions were made for a commercial purpose, are very professional, and clearly articulate the originals, one can use them as a springboard for an interpretation encompassing some degree of Romantic bravado, as Glenn Gould uncharacteristically did in his 1967 recording of the Symphony No. 5 for Columbia.Volume 15... Read Less