Notes and Editorial Reviews
A pianistic perspective on the greatest symphonic cycle of them all - from Steinway & Sons
Limited edition package available exclusively at ArkivMusic.
"Scherbakov plays with a white-hot intensity that makes for thrilling listening and the result is that Liszt’s work on transcribing these symphonies is allowed to stand on its own without any comparison with the original works being made, even unwittingly... you are in for a treat" -- Steve Arloff, MusicWeb International
SYMPHONIES 2 AND 5
Franz Liszt viewed his solo piano transcriptions of the Beethoven Symphonies as a means to disseminate these works and make them accessible
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to the general public. This, of course, was decades before Edison invented recorded sound, and a century before umpteen Beethoven cycles jockeyed for position on the CD racks. Why listen to Beethoven's symphonies on the piano, then, when orchestral versions are everywhere to be had? I can answer that question in four words: Liszt was a genius. He conveys the emotional essence of Beethoven's instrumentation in pianistic terms, with a sixth sense for when to fill in textures, as well as what to leave out. While the piano writing isn't particularly dense, the keyboard layout involves frequent register shifts and busy contrapuntal activity. Konstantin Scherbakov's stupendous technique and grounded musicianship allows him to bring these elements into play with fluent ease and rock-solid rhythm. He may not inflect the Fifth Symphony's slow movement as ravishingly as Glenn Gould, but he faces the finale's notey hurdles without resorting to Gould's overdubbing tactics.
The Second Symphony is even better. Scherbakov's swift and steady first movement introduction slides into the Allegro con brio with insidious ease, and his heartfelt, pellucid Larghetto virtually plays itself. No tempo compromises in the Scherzo and Finale are neccesary under this pianist's pliable, secure hands. The resonant, full-bodied, and clear sonics clinch my enthusiastic recommendation.
--Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 2 in D major by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863-1864
Venue: St. Martin's Church, Hampshire, England
Length: 32 Minutes 44 Secs.
2.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 5 in C minor by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837
Venue: St. Martin's Church, Hampshire, England
Length: 34 Minutes 38 Secs.
3.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 3 in E flat major by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863-1864
Venue: St. Martin's Church, Newbury, Berkshire,
Length: 50 Minutes 17 Secs.
4.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 6 in F major by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk, England
Length: 38 Minutes 56 Secs.
5.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 4 in B flat major by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863-1864
Venue: Potton Hall, Dunwich, Suffolk, England
Length: 32 Minutes 19 Secs.
6.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 9 in D minor by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863-1864
Venue: Potton Hall, Suffolk, England
Length: 63 Minutes 1 Secs.
7.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 7 in A major by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1837
Venue: Potton Hall, Suffolk, England
Length: 12 Minutes 11 Secs.
8.
Symphonies (9) after Beethoven for Piano, S 464: no 8 in F major by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863-1864
Date of Recording: 10/05/2004
Venue: Potton Hall, Suffolk, England
Length: 24 Minutes 8 Secs.
9.
Symphonies de Beethoven No. 1, transcription for piano in C major, S. 464/1 (LW A37c) by Franz Liszt
Performer:
Konstantin Scherbakov (Piano)
Period: Romantic
Written: 1863-1864
Venue: St. Martin's Church, Newbury, Berkshire,
Length: 27 Minutes 20 Secs.
Featured Sound Samples
Symphony no 2 after Beethoven for Piano: I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Symphony no 5 after Beethoven for Piano: IV. Allegro
Symphony no 7 after Beethoven for Piano: I. Poco sostenuto - Vivace
Sound Samples
Beethoven - Symphony No. 1 in C major, S464/R128: I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Beethoven - Symphony No. 1 in C major, S464/R128: II. Andante cantabile con moto
Beethoven - Symphony No. 1 in C major, S464/R128: III. Menuetto: Allegro molto e vivace
Beethoven - Symphony No. 1 in C major, S464/R128: IV. Adagio - Allegro molto vivace
Beethoven - Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, S464/R128, "Eroica": I. Allegro con brio
Beethoven - Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, S464/R128, "Eroica": II. Marcia funebre: Adagio assai
Beethoven - Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, S464/R128, "Eroica": III. Scherzo: Allegro vivace
Beethoven - Symphony No. 3 in E flat major, S464/R128, "Eroica": IV. Finale: Allegro molto
Beethoven - Symphony No. 2 in D major, S464/R128: I. Adagio molto - Allegro con brio
Beethoven - Symphony No. 2 in D major, S464/R128: II. Larghetto
Beethoven - Symphony No. 2 in D major, S464/R128: III. Scherzo: Allegro
Beethoven - Symphony No. 2 in D major, S464/R128: IV. Allegro molto
Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in C minor, S464/R128: I. Allegro con brio
Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in C minor, S464/R128: II. Andante con moto
Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in C minor, S464/R128: III. Scherzo
Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 in C minor, S464/R128: IV. Allegro
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