BEETHOVEN/LISZT: SYMPHONY NO. 9 - PHILIPPE CASSARD / CEDRIC PESCIA

While any of Liszt’s superb transcriptions of Beethoven’s first eight symphonies is a challenge for the pianist, the two-piano arrangement of the Ninth is at once spellbinding and a formidable test.

This remarkable synthesis of soloists, chorus and orchestra presents a powerful structure that condenses all the fearsome difficulties of ensemble playing for the two pianists. This version by Philippe Cassard and Cédric Pescia displays extraordinary nobility, truth and grandeur, with the epic sweep ideally suited to the ‘Ode to Joy’.

SYMPHONY NO. 9 IN D MINOR, OP. 125
TRANSCRIBED FOR TWO PIANOS BY FRANZ LISZT


Allegro ma non troppo, un poco maestoso 15’46
Molto vivace – Presto 14’31
Adagio molto e cantabile – Andante moderato – Adagio stesso tempo 14’06


FINALE


Presto 2’19
Allegro assai – Presto – Recitativo – Allegro assai 7’11
Allegro assai vivace alla Marcia – Andante maestoso – Adagio ma non troppo ma devoto 7’14
Allegro energico – Allegro ma non tanto – Prestissimo 6’38