By now through the MCML, we have all had a review of the reasons for the
piano transcriptions in the past.  As I no doubt have mentioned before
(since I tend to repeat myself myself), there was an excellent review in
Fanfare (?) some years ago.  Issue was taken with Cyprien Katsaris' adding
some notes that Liszt had left out of one of the Beethoven symphony
transcriptions.

The reviewer's point was that today we listen to these transcriptions NOT
to hear Beethoven (or Berlioz) played on the piano, but to hear how LISZT
worked out the transformation from full orchestra to a solo piano. In the
case of the Beethoven 9th, he actually did a 2 piano version before the
solo version, fearing that 1 piano could not do the symphony justice.

Evidently I thought that this was a very valid observation since I remember
the review.

Appropriately, I am listening to Karl Haas' program about transcriptions on
WFSU-FM.  Someone is playing the Beethoven d minor "Piano" Concerto 3rd
movement!!

Joel Hill
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Tallahassee, FL