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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Liszt's deep respect for Beethoven and a brilliant Katsaris, May 30, 2002
This review is from: Beethoven / Liszt: The Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Audio CD)
One of the first things that strikes anyone listening to these trasncriptions is the care and respect with which Liszt treats this music. All the piano's resources are exploited but these do not draw attention to themselves or never obscure the logic of beethoven's scores - in fact, Liszt actually illuminates the score in some instances. Off course, no single instrument - not even a piano - can mimic a full orchestra and Liszt here recurrs to a lot of doubling and tremolos to cover the percusive qualities of the instrument, but no one but Liszt himself would have been able to come close to actually creating symphonies on the piano as these transcriptions indeed represent. There is in these trasncriptions not only a high degree of artistic merit, but also an alternate medium to enjoy these symphonies. And then, very few pianists can actually play these scores convincingly and Cyprien katsaris in these recordings proves himself exceedingly. This excruciatingly difficult music is played briliantly by Katsaris not only in regards to virtuosity which in some passages is unbeleivable (the chorus in the ninth symphony has the fastest octave display i have ever heard), but also his symphonic understanding of the music and its translation into piano is handled with amazing depth and care. Unfortunately, for most these trasncriptions are nothing more than a curiosity and are disregarded - but played here by Katsaris i would find it hard for anybody to underestimate Liszt's work and these performances which may well be one of the most amazing displays of virtuosity in the history of piano recordings.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Katsaris at his very best!!!!, October 22, 2005
This review is from: Beethoven / Liszt: The Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Audio CD)
I am a fan of Cyprien Katsaris. I have been very lucky to see him perform quite a few times live, in a solo, chamber and orchestral setting and his music making has been great in all instances. He is full of passion and energy making music come to life. This is the second full Beethoven/Lizst "Piano" Symphonies cycle I have. The other one is with Leslie Howard on Hyperion. Listening to the two cycles side by side one can see that Howard has a more Lizstian approach, more romantic and definetely piano centered. Katsaris tries to balance the two eras and in my ears the final result is better, although Howard's music making is excellent too. A great set and a great way to rediscover the symphonies.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Astonishing Musical Achievement, May 28, 2006
This review is from: Beethoven / Liszt: The Symphonies Nos. 1-9 (Audio CD)
Liszt was well known for his magnificent transcriptions of orchestral music, wonderfully realized here by Cyprien Katsaris, who hits new heights of pianistic virtuosity. A not-to-be-missed performance that will surely give you insights into the genius of both Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Liszt. Listening to these performances of the symphonies is the musical equivalent of seeing the Grand Canyon for the first time.
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