Masterpieces wanted for transcription

[mrdaveux]

As you all know, many masterpieces (and not so master pieces) have been transcribed from orchestra (or any other ensemble) to piano (ex : Liszt operatic stuff, Rachmaninoff, Cziffra, Wild etc.).

Which piece hasn't been and would deserve a transcription for piano ? I was thinking of Dukas' Sorcerer Apprentice, but it's been done already...

And is it that hard to make an effective transcription, even without composition experience (after all, if you have the score and have played the piano for many years, I don't think it woud be so difficult)?

[pianistimo]

i don't either.  in fact, i often listen to symphonic music for just that purpose.  to find something i like and then someday transcribe it.  just listened to some music yesterday and was thinking that very thought.  will provide a list of my own favorites soon (listening right now).

pianist hayroudinoff has played shostakovich's symphony #4 op 43 arranged for two pianos and i think he has on his concert repertoire symphony #1 and #2 as well.

[mikey6]

Try Scheherezade.  there's a prokofiev transcription but it's only parts of it and not particularly  interesting.
or something different, edwards scissorhands - most of it's on celeste so there's an easy start.

[quantum]

Bach's scared music.  Plenty to choose from.

[rafant]

Thanks for this thread. Piano transcriptions wanted for:

- Dvorak's Serenade for Strings. I love this music.
- Mahlers 's Adaggietto, from 5th Symphony.
- Sibelius: Intermezzo, from Karelia Suite, Op 11. Spectacular.
- Bach: Erbarme Dich
- Tchaikovsky: The Tempest, Francesca Da Rimini and Romeo & Juliet Overtures

[pabst]

I know its not happening, but I would love to stumble across a 2 piano or solo transcription of Prokofiev's Alexander Nevsky

[nicko124]

As you all know, many masterpieces (and not so master pieces) have been transcribed from orchestra (or any other ensemble) to piano (ex : Liszt operatic stuff, Rachmaninoff, Cziffra, Wild etc.).

Which piece hasn't been and would deserve a transcription for piano ? I was thinking of Dukas' Sorcerer Apprentice, but it's been done already...

And is it that hard to make an effective transcription, even without composition experience (after all, if you have the score and have played the piano for many years, I don't think it woud be so difficult)?

Hey. I agree with you, it would be good to see a concert arrangement of Dukas' Sorcerers Apprentice.

I would also love to see a complete concert arrangement of music from the star wars films, i know they are available in books but that is simplified. A virtuoso piano transcription for every aspect  of music from the films would be great, for some idea of what I am talking about see these links:-

https://www.gamingforce.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37755 - this link is an advanced transcription of 'The Imperial March' (Darth Vaders theme) - transcription done by captnflav at gamingforce forums.

https://www.gamingforce.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37438 - here is the mp3 of the score being played, unfortunetely can't remember the pianist -  somebody who specialises in movie transciptions for piano.

You will notice that the Imperial March transcription is pretty darn difficult to play unlike the simplified version below:-

https://www.gamingforce.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6257

[thalbergmad]

Try Scheherezade.  there's a prokofiev transcription but it's only parts of it and not particularly  interesting.
or something different, edwards scissorhands - most of it's on celeste so there's an easy start.

Scheherezade has been transcribed in full by Paul Gilson.

[thalbergmad]

Thanks for this thread. Piano transcriptions wanted for:

- Dvorak's Serenade for Strings. I love this music.
- Mahlers 's Adaggietto, from 5th Symphony.
- Sibelius: Intermezzo, from Karelia Suite, Op 11. Spectacular.
- Bach: Erbarme Dich
- Tchaikovsky: The Tempest, Francesca Da Rimini and Romeo & Juliet Overtures

The entire Mahler 5th Symphony has been transcribed for 2 pianos by Stradal. I also have 2 transcriptions of the Adaggietto.
I have the Sibelius, which i think was transcribed by the Composer.
The Romeo & Juliet has been done by Naoumoff, but  i have not got that yet.
Drawn a blank with the others.

[pianistimo]

was looking up a question about liszt and found that he transcribed berlioz's 'symphony fantastique' for piano (and it is played by idil biret on naxos).

[mrchops10]

My teacher back home said he heard this transcription performed, and as much as we both love his Beethoven symphonies, he says the Berlioz sounds "like arpeggios up and down." I guess I understand this, one of the chief joys of that symphony is the unique orchestration. So probably Tchaikovsky symphonies wouldn't sound too good, either? I don't know, but certainly not every orchestral masterwork will translate well to the piano.

[pianistimo]

agreed.

[rafant]

The entire Mahler 5th Symphony has been transcribed for 2 pianos by Stradal. I also have 2 transcriptions of the Adaggietto.
I have the Sibelius, which i think was transcribed by the Composer.
The Romeo & Juliet has been done by Naoumoff, but  i have not got that yet.

I'm glad to hear it, Thalbergmad, thank you very much. Could you please give me some guidance in order to get them too? Thanks again.

[liszt1022]

was looking up a question about liszt and found that he transcribed berlioz's 'symphony fantastique' for piano (and it is played by idil biret on naxos).

Biret's Naxos recording is hardly Liszt's transcription (no matter what the CD label says.) Her earlier recording from the 70's is closer to Liszt's original while the Naxos recording is virtually a new transcription.
The only pianists to have recorded Liszt's exact text are Bruno Mezzena, Leslie Howard, and Todd Crow. Besides Idil Biret's two recordings, the only others of this symphony on piano are Nikolai Petrov and Pierre Reach, who both play mostly Liszt's text with a few alterations, and Francois-Rene Duchable, who plays basically his own transcription.

(my own transcription is in the works...)

[pianistimo]

interesting that there are so many variations on transcriptions and that people like you know about the ones that are closest to the originals.  hmmm.  my listening suffers.  why can't i hear these things yet.  i am at the most basic levels of listening and transcribing.  it must be fun - as you progress - to actually hear in your head ahead of time what you want to do with a piece.  occasionally i'll get glimmers of this.

[liszt1022]

interesting that there are so many variations on transcriptions and that people like you know about the ones that are closest to the originals.  hmmm.  my listening suffers.  why can't i hear these things yet.  i am at the most basic levels of listening and transcribing.  it must be fun - as you progress - to actually hear in your head ahead of time what you want to do with a piece.  occasionally i'll get glimmers of this.

I have both Berlioz's orchestra score and Liszt's piano transcription. It's easier to tell if you're watching the scores. Liszt's transcription is based on an early version of the symphony, so it has some passages which aren't found in any orchestral recording or performance you'd find these days. So those will stick out as different, and are only played by those who stick to Liszt's text. Most of the text diversions of the other pianists come from their trying to re-transcribe Berlioz' newer passages instead of the ones in Liszt.

[donjuan]

(my own transcription is in the works...)

ha I was trying to do a transcription of the march to the scaffold, but I just couldnt create the same thunder as Belioz's original did.  I find Liszt's transcription a little noisy and cumbersome to actually play at times.  It has the same awkwardness as his Schubert transcription 'Erlking.'  If Liszt did his transcription of the symphony like 10 years after he did, we would have a much more mature piece of performable music.

[liszt1022]

ha I was trying to do a transcription of the march to the scaffold, but I just couldnt create the same thunder as Belioz's original did.  I find Liszt's transcription a little noisy and cumbersome to actually play at times.  It has the same awkwardness as his Schubert transcription 'Erlking.'  If Liszt did his transcription of the symphony like 10 years after he did, we would have a much more mature piece of performable music.

Since you mention it, Liszt DID in fact re-transcribe the March to the Scaffold (sadly, not the other movements as well) about 30 years after his first version. It has only been reprinted recently as part of the New Liszt Edition. It's in Leslie Howard's Liszt CD set in the volume entitled "Early Beethoven Transcriptions" and is the last track.

There was a concert once of Berlioz' Symphonie, after which Liszt went onstage and played the March movement on a piano. A witness wrote that Liszt surpassed the orchestra's playing of it.

[donjuan]

Since you mention it, Liszt DID in fact re-transcribe the March to the Scaffold (sadly, not the other movements as well) about 30 years after his first version. It has only been reprinted recently as part of the New Liszt Edition. It's in Leslie Howard's Liszt CD set in the volume entitled "Early Beethoven Transcriptions" and is the last track.

I have that CD!  Found the march and am lis(z)tening.  Thanks so much!
donjuan

[g_s_223]

Just been listening to Janacek's Sinfonietta - amazing work - 12 trumpets!!! Now, how about that for pf.2h?...

[thalbergmad]

Just been listening to Janacek's Sinfonietta - amazing work - 12 trumpets!!! Now, how about that for pf.2h?...

Can't find that one.

[g_s_223]

I'd love a piano transcription of the organ Sonata on the 94th Psalm by Julius Reubke. This is a magnificent work; some of you will know Reubke's only other large-scale work, the Sonata in Bb Minor, which was inspired by Liszt's piano Sonata.

[shasta]

I'd love a CONCERT VERSION of Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, either for solo or 2-piano.

There are several little transcriptions floating around out there in those "easy favorite classical music themes" books, but I'm talking something concert-worthy.   

[thalbergmad]

I'd love a piano transcription of the organ Sonata on the 94th Psalm by Julius Reubke. This is a magnificent work; some of you will know Reubke's only other large-scale work, the Sonata in Bb Minor, which was inspired by Liszt's piano Sonata.

That has been done by another Liszt pupil, namely Stradal.

I have the score. PM me your e mail and i will send it to you.

[thalbergmad]

I'd love a CONCERT VERSION of Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, either for solo or 2-piano.

There are several little transcriptions floating around out there in those "easy favorite classical music themes" books, but I'm talking something concert-worthy.   

I have an interesting transcription by Heller.

I have taken the liberty of sending it to you as your e mail is displayed in your profile.

[thalbergmad]

I just remembered that the attachment function is back.

[shasta]

I have taken the liberty of sending it to you

You rock, babe!  Thanks so much!

[g_s_223]

thalbergmad - many thanks for the Reubke 

[klavierkonzerte]

well i'd love to see transcriptions of

chausson poeme for violin and orchestra

or the violin concertos of sibelius elgar brahms and bach a minor

[thalbergmad]

There have been many transcriptions on the solo violin works of Bach, but i can only find one for a concerto and that is for the concerto for 2 violins.

As for the others, i think you may be out of luck.

[klavierkonzerte]

are there any transcriptions of verdi dies irae or mozart rex tremenade?

[thalbergmad]

Drawn a blank there i am afraid.

[etudes]

Shostakovich Cello concerto 

[apion]

Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. 

[thalbergmad]

Shostakovich Cello concerto 

I hope not

[thalbergmad]

Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. 

nine

[pianistimo]

just listened to liszt's own piano transcription of 'pace non trovo' or sonetto del petrarca #104.  it's probably more well known, but i hadn't heard it performed ever.  just listened to george bolet play it on amazon.

i think the review goes:
"an agitated, gusty opening gives way to the calm beginning of a concentrated love story. the mood continually shifts from the typical to explosions of passion in liszt's characteristically theatrical manner.  after a powerful, virtuosic culmination, fortissimo with octaves, double notes and long trills- the music - gradually subsides into a heavenly coda.  liszt's harmonic creativity juxtaposed with remote keys, smoothly executed modulations, and always fresh use of augmented chords - is here revealed to it's fullest extent." 

[pianistimo]

check out www.pianopassion.com  for transcription of schumann's piano concerto in a minor, and several chopin concertos.  they are easy enough for intermediate to advanced students to play.  kinda gives one an idea of how to combine the orch. score and the piano together without overdoing one or the other.

[g_s_223]

Here are some of Max Reger's great large-scale organ works: https://www.maxreger.com/maxtunes/phantastic_reger.htm

I know the Phantasie und Fuge über B A C H has been transcribed for piano 2H, how about any of the others?

[pianistimo]

that's very cool!  thank you.  and, thalbergmad, too - when i get it printed out.  so much to do, so little time.

[donjuan]

just listened to liszt's own piano transcription of 'pace non trovo' or sonetto del petrarca #104.  it's probably more well known, but i hadn't heard it performed ever.  just listened to george bolet play it on amazon.

i think the review goes:
"an agitated, gusty opening gives way to the calm beginning of a concentrated love story. the mood continually shifts from the typical to explosions of passion in liszt's characteristically theatrical manner.  after a powerful, virtuosic culmination, fortissimo with octaves, double notes and long trills- the music - gradually subsides into a heavenly coda.  liszt's harmonic creativity juxtaposed with remote keys, smoothly executed modulations, and always fresh use of augmented chords - is here revealed to it's fullest extent." 

best recordings I have heard are played by Horowitz or Tzimon Barto.... 

A great piece of Liszt!  One of his best, no doubt

[etudes]

I hope not

why not?

[thalbergmad]

why not?

Coz i don't like it

[etudes]

Coz i don't like it

i love it!

[pianistimo]

just hear 'wir danken dir gott, wir danken dir' transcription played by wilhelm kempff from js bach's cantata #29.  i don't know if he did his own transcription, but it was really nice.

[thalbergmad]

He did indeed do his own transcription my one legged sweetie.

I have a book of them which includes this one.

PM me if you would like it.

I better not post it as it must still be copyrighted.

THAL

[kreso]

He did indeed do his own transcription my one legged sweetie.

I have a book of them which includes this one.

PM me if you would like it.

I better not post it as it must still be copyrighted.

THAL

Can you post me this also?
Please if you can sent me on this mail kresimirstarcevic@net.hr

[kriskicksass]

I'm working on a 2p4h transcription of the forth movement of Sibelius 2 right now. It's coming out surprisingly pianistic, especially when you consider the fact that it was originally scored for a huge orchestra. My only fear is that it might lose some of the fire of the original, but I can't test that out until I have a chance to get another pianist to help me run through what I have transcribed so far. I'll keep you guys posted on the progress!

[kreso]

It would be beutifull to see 3 masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, transcription for piano solo or piano 4-hand (or even 2 pianos)

Symphohy no.6 Patetique
Serenade for strings op.48
Souvenire de Florance

[thalbergmad]

It would be beutifull to see 3 masterpieces by Tchaikovsky, transcription for piano solo or piano 4-hand (or even 2 pianos)

Symphohy no.6 Patetique
Serenade for strings op.48
Souvenire de Florance

I have transcriptions of the first 2.

PM me if you would like them.

They are both rather large.