Recorded in 1985 and 1986, Idil Biret’s complete cycle of Beethoven’s nine symphonies transcribed for piano solo by Franz Liszt first was issued on vinyl by EMI/Electrola in a boxed set, a release that did not last long in the catalog. Although EMI never brought the cycle out on CD in the West, Biret’s own Naxos-distributed label has been reissuing it as individual volumes.
Fierce rhythmic rectitude and meticulous voice-leading both justify and give continuity to her dangerously slow tempos for both the Seventh’s first movement and the Eighth’s menuet. However, the Seventh’s similarly drawn-out Allegretto drags for lack of sustaining power, while the Scherzo’s sharply delineated outer sections bookend a spineless, lethargic crawl through the Trio.
By contrast, the precision and point with which Biret shapes the Eighth Finale’s scurrying sextuplet figures (easy for strings, impossible for pianos!) makes her considerably-less-than-Allegro Vivace basic tempo plausible. Notwithstanding my overall preference for Katsaris in the Seventh and Scherbakov in the Eighth, you cannot doubt Biret’s honest musicianship, and her finest moments are worth more than a cursory listen. I shouldn’t forget to mention Keith Anderson’s superb, appreciably detailed booklet notes.
