Beethoven-Alkan 3rd Piano Concerto

[furtwaengler]

This was mentioned in the Eroica Symphony thread here:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=63788.msg677838#msg677838

There may have been some confusion in that thread that Alkan did not transcribe the symphony, but the concerto, 1st movement only with his own elaborate cadenza in which he creatively plays tribute to Beethoven's fame. Another attraction besides this cadenza is Alkan's skill in interweaving the solo piano part into the fabric of an orchestral reduction.  It may have been thought impossible, but Alkan proves his genius.

This was the only performance I gave of this, from a concert in March 2014 which also included the Alkan Concerto for Solo Piano which I shared sometime back. Enjoy listening, but don't trip over the warts!

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I'm impressed by this. A certain amount of small errors are almost inevitable with a work of this difficulty, and the cadenza is both technically and physically demanding. It has to be said that the repeated note section worked a treat! In truth, I think I find this more successful than the Liszt Eroica. I consider there to be a lot of innate classicism present at a fundamental philosophical level (as opposed to technical or necessarily pianistic) in Alkan's style, and I think he's more in tune with Beethoven's ethos at this particular point of his life, compared to Liszt, where I sense a certain amount of artistic compromise in the creation of the Eroica transcription.

In any case, I'd say this performance is something to cherish, even if it's not the absolute final word in technical precision. I'm delighted you posted this - thanks.

[furtwaengler]

Thanks a lot for your perceptive comments. I wonder if you've looked at the Mozart K. 466 transcription and have any thoughts.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I'm afraid I've never really looked at it. There are quite a lot of other Alkan transcriptions out there,  but the only other one I've worked on is the Haydn Surprise Symphony Andante, which I rate and would definitely have taken up had I not developed a predilection for operatic transcriptions / paraphrases (where, personally, I don't find his work especially successful).

[furtwaengler]

I've heard the surprise symphony transcription and think it would be fun to take that movement in a more Rzewski sort of direction, lid slams, screams, and absolute silence when you expect the surprise...I have actually considered doing something like that as an encore.

I did not know the Mozart K. 466 transcription when I asked, but have since looked up the imslp score and heard a recording of a guy playing the whole thing...now there's something, he transcribed the entire work. I just learned that, and it seems to me he is very good at differentiating the orchestra and piano parts in the way he approaches the tuttis. Alkan ought to get credit for his imagination and ability to bring off such ideas.

[orangesodaking]

I'm unable to play this file on my phone, and my computer isn't working at the moment... I'll try to get to hearing this tomorrow afternoon, if I can make it to my university library!

[jc10202010]

This was mentioned in the Eroica Symphony thread here:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=63788.msg677838#msg677838

There may have been some confusion in that thread that Alkan did not transcribe the symphony, but the concerto, 1st movement only with his own elaborate cadenza in which he creatively plays tribute to Beethoven's fame. Another attraction besides this cadenza is Alkan's skill in interweaving the solo piano part into the fabric of an orchestral reduction.  It may have been thought impossible, but Alkan proves his genius.

This was the only performance I gave of this, from a concert in March 2014 which also included the Alkan Concerto for Solo Piano which I shared sometime back. Enjoy listening, but don't trip over the warts!

My compliments to your playing. I very much want to play this transcription but have not been successful at finding legible sheet music for it. Do you know where I may be able to find it? I know there is a very worn copy of it on imslp https://ks.petruccimusiclibrary.org/files/imglnks/usimg/e/e6/IMSLP07384-Alkan_-_Op.misc_-_Beethoven_Concerto_op.37_Transcription.pdf but many notes and markings cannot be made out. I also posted a topic searching for it but have not gotten any responses that lead anywhere other than dead ends.https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=64779.0

[emill]

hello Dave,

Thank you for this and sure sounds Alkanish!  I can just imagine the herculean effort playing this, making this cohesive and enjoyable, the whole 50 minutes. CONGRATULATIONS!

OOOppppsss!!!  It is a Liszt transcription ... but sure does sound Alkanish to me!  Ahh there speaks my non-pianist brain!  was listening to the    Beethoven-Liszt Symphony no. 3 Eroica (hehe)
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The Alkan transcription of Beethoven's 3rd seems to me to be a more fulfilling version as the orchestra portion is blended so well.  I am quite familiar with the solo performance  of this and heard it played innumerable times at home when Enzo was 14 ( he eventually played it with the Manila Symphony Orchestra).  Enzo's playing without orchestra seemed sparse in some areas. One thing sure, some portions are doubly complicated with the orchestra in "full swing".  Sure sounds difficult and complicated. Again a herculean effort .... congratulation!