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Chopin PC1/II Transcription - Balakirev or Backhaus?

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Topic: Chopin PC1/II Transcription - Balakirev or Backhaus? (Read 1741 times)

jhon

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Chopin PC1/II Transcription - Balakirev or Backhaus?

on: June 28, 2005, 06:57:07 PM

For those who know, which is the better transcription (for solo piano) of the 2nd movement (Romance) of Chopin's 1st Piano Concerto? I have both and it seems that the Balakirev is more similar to the original whereas the Backhaus one has many additions none in the original...

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thalbergmad

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Re: Chopin PC1/II Transcription - Balakirev or Backhaus?

Reply #1 on: June 28, 2005, 07:13:32 PM

The Tausig is even closer

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joell12068

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Posts: 272

Re: Chopin PC1/II Transcription - Balakirev or Backhaus?

Reply #2 on: June 28, 2005, 09:50:07 PM

The Tausig version isn't really a version for solo piano alone. Tausig's version of Chopin's PC no1 was an attempt to "touch-up" an engaging, but imperfect score. Tausig did an extensive rewriting of the instrumentation, shortened the tutti of the beginning and even recomposed the piano part in several places. It's been said the Tausig version has echoes of Liszt in the piano and Wagner in the orchestra.

Although this version will probably irritate "Chopin purists" it is interesting nonetheless.

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