David Stewart wrote:

>What a stupid thing to do!  What is the point in arranging something for a
>medium which only augments the experience the person playing it?
>
>Berlioz was one of the best if not THE best orchestrater ever.  Surely you
>only lose some of the art by playing it on a piano.

Hummm.  well let's see David.  You are Franz Liszt or any other nineteenth
century music lover.  You don't have a radio, a cd player or a television.
Concerts are rare and expensive.  You do have a piano. Sooooo, wouldn't it
be nice to experience the music in the only feasible way you have? Nearly
every major nineteenth century composer's works were transcribed for piano
in order for the great unwashed in the sticks of the world not be without
a tune or two to enjoy.  Hardly stupid.  In fact, very profitable for the
composer whose works were sold in this form.

Second point.  Berlioz THE best orchestrator? Not a chance.  The nod goes
to Rimsky-Korsakoff and Ravel without a doubt!

Kevin Sutton