Danse Macabre - Saint-Saens/Liszt/Horowitz

[erry]

Hi all,
So I know that Danse Macabre has been transcribed by Liszt for piano, but I'm not sure about Horowitz's version. Is that an arrangement of Liszt's or is it his own transcription? Also, what are the major differences in the two versions? Which one is more difficult?

Thanks!

[joseffy]

It's his transcription of the Liszt version. It's harder than Liszt version, and musically, is a lot better than the Liszt transcription.

[perfect_pitch]

It's harder than Liszt version

True

and musically, is a lot better than the Liszt transcription.

Probably a matter of opinion, but in my case - not true. I find Liszt is far more true to the original music than Horowitz is. Horowitz adds too many silly frills in my opinion.

[joseffy]

Probably a matter of opinion, but in my case - not true. I find Liszt is far more true to the original music than Horowitz is. Horowitz adds too many silly frills in my opinion.

Well, I actually think the same thing about Liszt version, he adds too many unnecessary things that ruins the piece for me. Horowitz, for me, is more true to the original and more "to-the-point" in his transcription and it sounded a lot better than Liszt' one, especially in VH own recording of it.