This is my second concert transcription of another one of my favorite piano concertos for solo piano, Beethoven’s “Emperor” concerto No. 5, Op. 73 (first being Rachmaninoff’s 2nd piano concerto). I performed this in my university years and I still love it now as I did then. But as I mentioned on my Rachmaninoff 2nd concerto’s preface you can’t play with an orchestra whenever you have a concert or a recital. I always wanted to play this piece solo but I could not find a score arranged for solo piano. But after finishing the Rach 2nd I thought if I can do this, I can probably do the Beethoven. Sure enough, I finished it in less than two weeks. I think it turned out pretty well.
This transcription is much more accessible than the Rachmaninoff (awfully difficult not only technically but the HUGE hand stretches which not many of us have). If I were to rate Rachmaninoff I would give a 9 out of 10 in technical difficulty, whereas Beethoven, a 7 out of 10. The piano performance is played by my favorite pianist, Murray Perahia with Bernard Haitink conducting. As always, I appreciate your support if you purchased my score. Practice hard and enjoy your fruits of labor.
