Customer Reviews

Beethoven / Liszt: The Symphonies Nos. 1-9

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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.

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.

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.

These certainly are wonderful performances of Beethoven's symphonies, but the problem is that not all of the symphonies really fit the piano. The Pastoral sounds beautiful and transcribes wonderfully, the second, fourth, seventh and eighth work as well, and the second and third movements of the ninth are excellent. However, some movements of the ninth don't quite sound right and the fifth and the Eroica, to an extent, really do not work on piano. The other drawback is the price, which gives you six CDs for a very full price. All in all, however, I am very glad to have purchased these recordings, as they all make for very interesting listening.

If you have any doubts to how difficult these scores are, try listening to this recording with one of them: it's astonishing to say the least. I listened to the whole Eroica and the 1st and last movements of the 5th symphony with the scores and nearly fell out of my seat! The pianism is astonishing to say the least! Also, the music making as per Beethoven style and passion is tremendous as well. Simply put Katsaris plays the living hell out of these pieces! I started searching for other CDs I might have of him having found the Brahms B-Flat concerto the only one (similarly fantastic). [...]

So thoughtful that you see these gigantic works in a new light through the lens of a single performer. Not to be missed.

Amazon gives me a terrific opportunity to obtain CDs I can't find here in Adelaide, Australia.
Postage is always quick, items are well-packed, and the value is excellent.
These Cyprien Katsaris CDs are excellent!

Katsaris is simply incredible. He has virtuosity and power to spare - that goes without saying. He plays this extraordinarily difficult score as though he were born doing it; as though he had an orchestra in residence in his ten fingers. I can't think of many other pianists who could individually pull out every voice of an arrangement this complex and bring to bear on each one this range of color.

Then add to those achievements a singing line that is majestic, an intellectual presence that is commanding, a tone quality that is sumptuous, rhythmic power that is relentless, and technical panache that never detracts from the depths that open like revelations from under his fingers. The slow movements spin out into galactic space, the filigree passages are iridescent, the fast movements are volcanic dithyrambs driven by centaurs.

What a genius. And what a genius Liszt was to make you almost think the unthinkable - that these transcriptions of Beethoven improve on the originals. Music written by one titan, recreated by another, and brought to life by a third.

Encountering this recording was one of the musical high points of my life. I can't imagine piano playing any better than this. At least not on earth.

I love these recordings. Hearing the 9 symphonies on piano brings out nuances I had previously missed in the orchestral version. It is particularly refreshing as a change of pace from the orchestral versions.

If you think Beethoven's fifth symphony does not fit in piano by listening this recording by Katsaris, please try the ones played by Glenn Gould and by Leslie Howard. You will find that Liszt's transcriptions are excelent.