Beethoven Piano Your resource for the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven

author: Franz Liszt asin: 0486418847 binding: Paperback list price: $16.95 USD amazon price: $11.53 USD

Second volume in a Dover series of Liszt's piano transcriptions of Beethoven's 9 symphonies includes Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, "Pastorale"; Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92; Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93; and Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, "Choral."

asin: B00004W9CK binding: Audio CD list price: $25.98 USD amazon price: $25.98 USD

If the "Hammerklavier" Sonata (No. 29), perhaps the most profound work ever written for the piano, were not on this disc, one would dwell on the singular charms of the rarely heard, two-movement Sonata No. 27 or the astonishing rightness of Solomon's interpretation of the Sonata No. 26, "Les Adieux." But the "Hammerklavier" is the touchstone of any Beethoven sonata cycle, and it's the rock upon which most pianists founder. Solomon meets its challenges as well as anyone who's every recorded it. Solomon may not match Artur Schnabel's intensity, but he's far superior technically, and he comes close to Claudio Arrau's depth and Wilhelm Kempff's poetry. Solomon is unique in bringing all these attributes to bear on a piece whose mysteries can never be encompassed in one interpretation. He captures the dynamism of the opening Allegro, makes the Scherzo a witty romp, and sustains the long, 22-minute Adagio with a flowing poetry that's breathtaking. The final fugue, played with superhuman ease by Solomon, for once seems an inevitable culmination of a timeless journey. An indispensable disc. --Dan Davis

author: Ludwig van Beethoven asin: 0486450422 binding: Paperback list price: $17.95 USD amazon price: $14.36 USD

Beethoven's first 5 symphonies appear here in special unabridged four-hand arrangements. These elegant versions of the composer's masterpieces have long been favorites of duet performers. Reproduced from authoritative editions, they offer pianists of an intermediate level and beyond the chance to perform and study these famous works.