The greatest piano virtuoso of the 19th century, Franz Liszt possessed an astonishing ability to recreate orchestral fabric at the keyboard, enabling pianists to reproduce the texture and grandeur of symphonic works. This volume is the second of Dover’s two-part set of Liszt’s piano transcriptions of Beethoven’s nine symphonies, reproduced from the edition authorized by Liszt himself. Its contents include 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.”
The collection also contains engrossing pieces of background information, including a facsimile of Liszt’s handwritten French preface to his Beethoven transcriptions (along with its English translation), as well as an introduction by Dr. Alan Walker, author of the definitive three volume Liszt biography.
A memorable tribute from one musical genius to another, these beautiful transcriptions will delight pianists and music lovers alike.

In 1843, Franz Liszt made the handsome gesture of absorbing the costs for a monument to Beethoven in Bonn. The spiritual affinity he felt for Beethoven also moved this great piano virtuoso to pay an even finer tribute, a superlative set of piano transcriptions of the master’s nine symphonies. This volume contains the first five of these works, reproduced from the original plates authorized by Liszt himself.
Liszt’s brilliant transcriptions enabled nineteenth-century audiences and amateur pianists to become acquainted with Beethoven’s works even when no orchestras were available. Indeed, the great pianist’s capacity for translating orchestral effects into pianistic terms was nothing short of astonishing.
Today, through Liszt’s remarkable ability to re-create orchestral fabric at the keyboard, pianists are able to experience all the beauty, drama, and poetry pervading these five great works. A memorable tribute from one musical genius to another, these compositions will delight pianists and music lovers alike.