Beethoven / Liszt - Symphony 3 [Katsaris]The French-Cypriot Cyprien Katsaris, has recorded all of Beethoven's Symphonies, his was a groundbreaking cycle, these Symphonies are rarely heard this way.
When you first hear a Liszt transcription of a Beethoven Symphony, it's like hearing the Symphony for the very first time all over again, and yet it also gives great insight into the piece hearing it anew very differently, quite a revelation, if anyone is in any doubt that the piano just cannot imitate the orchestra, then listen to a Liszt transcription, a whole orchestra erupts from the keyboard.
Right from the get-go you realize the piano is sparse compared to the orchestra, but all the notes/tunes are all there, you really can hear all the instruments coming out of the piano, the piano is a phenomenal instrument, and to hear rhythms in piano staccato instead of string legato brings a real thrill, it's like hearing a revolutionary period performance for the first time.
I so much enjoyed hearing the first movement today, it has such a headlong rush, it's actually the first Beethoven Symphony i listened to, so it holds a special place in my heart, and it remains my favourite to this day.
Here's Hiroaki Ooi playing the first movement on YouTube, using a FortePiano.
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