I joined this forum to get some advice for a gift.
I am not a musician and, in reality, as much as I try, I am quite hopeless in the musical field.
So, I will explain my problem and I hope someone can help me.
I would like to give a pianist the complete score of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. I went to my local shop and they initially offered me the piano transcription, to which I asked for the "complete" score, and they looked at me as if I had asked for the most improbable thing.
They searched a bit in the archives and found nothing. They say that "it should exist" and that they will let me know if the supplier has it.
At this point I wonder:
1) It exists, right? I mean, it seems obvious to me that it exists!
2) Does it have outrageous prices? Because I wouldn't want to spend more than 20-30 euros, but based on the way they widened their eyes... and I can't find anything on the internet. Maybe it's just me not knowing where to look. 3) In case I don't find it, do you think a pianist could still appreciate the piano score of the Ninth? Speaking from your personal experience, would you see it as a substitute or would you be happy to receive it?
Thank you very much and I apologize for the nagging, but I am in a crisis!
Well, I believe there must be at least the small format study edition from Genta Verlag, with all the parts... Probably there are also separate parts... But I don't know much about orchestral scores, but since he is a pianist, why not give him something he can study as well as keep there for beauty?
Well, I believe there must be at least the small format study edition from Genta Verlag, with all the parts... There are probably also separate parts available... But I don't know much about orchestral scores, but since he is a pianist, why not give him something he can actually study as well as keep there for beauty?
I didn't want the one with separate parts; I was hoping more for a "single" format, but I doubt whether it exists or not... Anyway, you are perfectly right, so are you saying I could give him the piano transcription? That is, the one they were proposing to me in the shop. Do you think he might appreciate that more?
I know he would be pleased to have Beethoven's symphonies, but honestly, since he was just mentioning them casually and since I had no idea that multiple versions existed, I thought he was referring to the "complete" ones.
Would you appreciate a transcription that you can actually play more?
(Sorry, I am really looking for personal advice to get an idea)
Personally, since I no longer consider myself a pianist and am moving towards other repertoire, I wouldn't really know what to do with Beethoven's symphonies; it's different for the sonatas for piano and violin or cello and piano, but it's a matter of taste, I imagine there are those who appreciate transcriptions as well.
I didn't want the one with separate parts, I was hoping more for a "single" format, but I doubt whether it exists or not... Anyway, you are perfectly right, so are you saying that I could give him the piano transcription as a gift? I mean, the one they were proposing to me in the shop. Do you think he might appreciate it more?
I know he would be pleased to have Beethoven's symphonies, but honestly, since he was just mentioning them casually and since I had no idea that multiple versions existed, I thought he was referring to the "complete" ones.
Would you appreciate a transcription that you can play more?
(Forgive me, I am really looking for personal advice to get an idea)
hi Azzurra
regarding your doubts (what he might appreciate more) ...it could be anything.
As a pianist, he might appreciate a piano transcription more (Liszt's, which is excellent) because he could also study it.
As a Beethoven enthusiast, he might also appreciate the orchestral score.
In any case (as a person), he might appreciate your lovely thought: giving him a Great gift!
regarding your doubts (what he might appreciate more) ...it could be anything.
As a pianist, he might appreciate a piano transcription more (the Liszt one, which is excellent) because he could also study it.
As a Beethoven enthusiast, he might also appreciate the orchestral score.
In any case (as a person), he might appreciate your lovely thought: giving him a Great gift!
Thank you for the answer!
Honestly, before posting this question, I was decided on giving him the complete score, but then seeing your answers, I am becoming convinced that perhaps the transcription is better.
Now I am in total doubt! The Dover edition seems excellent to me; it has the octave and the ninth together and can also be found on Amazon.
And as for the transcription, thank you for the advice on Liszt! I wouldn't have even known which one to choose.
I understand that for a pianist a transcription would be better, but perhaps knowing him, he would appreciate the orchestral version more.
We aren't musicians for nothing haha, everyone has their own personal tastes; I would prefer chamber scores, for two, three instruments, trios, duets, quintets—better if Baroque with basso continuo—but here we are always in the realm of personal taste!
It seems to me that we are splitting hairs! If you want to give him the score of the Ninth Symphony, give him the score of the Ninth Symphony. Bärenreiter has published the most up-to-date and reliable critical edition. It is seventeen euros. You can order it from home. Forget about Dover. Forget about your local shop.
It seems to me that we are splitting hairs! If you want to give him the score of the Ninth Symphony, give him the score of the Ninth Symphony. Bärenreiter has published the most up-to-date and reliable critical edition. It is seventeen euros. You can order it from home. Forget about Dover. Forget about your local shop.
