Search - Beethoven & Liszt, Katsaris :: Beethoven / Liszt: The Symphonies Nos. 1-9

Liszt's deep respect for Beethoven and a brilliant Katsaris

Alex Serrano | Perrysburg, Ohio United States | 05/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Interesting listening of wonderful performances

G. Lawton | 08/12/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Katsaris at his very best!!!!

Ytzan | Athens, GR | 10/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."