Beethoven: Symphonie No. 9 (Transcription de F. Kalkbrenner pour solistes, chœur et piano)
10/2/2020, 4 Tracks, 1:07:03
Featuring
Etsuko Hirose
Cécile Achille
Cornelia Oncioiu
Samy Camps
Andrey Petrenko
Timothée Varon
Yekaterinburg Philharmonic Choir
Ludwig van Beethoven
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Composer Biography
Friedrich Kalkbrenner, a German-born pianist and composer, was said to have been known to Beethoven since childhood, with Beethoven reportedly predicting a brilliant future for him around 1795.
Historical Context
Transcriptions and arrangements of Beethoven's symphonies were important for publishers and helped popularize the works among music lovers, especially since orchestral concerts were less frequent than today.
Composition History
Friedrich Kalkbrenner's transcription of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony was created in the 1830s, shortly after Beethoven's death, at a time when the 'Beethovenian myth' was beginning to take shape.
Interpretation
Kalkbrenner's transcription of the Ninth Symphony includes the 'Ode to Joy' sung in French, reflecting his desire to make the work accessible to the public of his adopted country.
Historical Context
In the 19th century, composers reacted to Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in two ways: some felt innovation was impossible after it, while others believed Beethoven's legacy could still be exploited.
Compositional Technique
Kalkbrenner's transcription of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony for solo piano is notable for integrating a choir and solo voices into the fourth movement.
Critical Reception
Franz Liszt, a contemporary pianist and composer, criticized Kalkbrenner's Beethoven symphony arrangements, suggesting his own were 'better written'.
