Tru I didn’t dive deep but enjoyed dem. I am particularly interezted in zolo 88 though bcuz I find no matta how in-zync 2 pianiztz are dey can’t match da magic ov a zolo pianizt.
Little zubtletiez and idiozyncraciez are mizzing, part ov da reazon I love and lizten to da Katzariz zet zo much.
I alzo enjoy da idiomatic differencez it offerz interpretively becuz dere are zheeyatz u can do on an 88 and not in an Orch n vice verza.
I guess it depends on what you’re looking for in hearing a transcription. If you want details and a more faithful representation of the original score in reduced form, then sure a four hand version will give that more effectively.
But if you’re interested in performance art, interpretation, and recreation or synthesis of an original orchestral score, then solo is preferable. The sheer act of a single person playing music written for an entire orchestra is itself a dramatic act, especially when the version being played isn’t just a basic piano reduction but a real transcription for piano that takes advantage of the instrument to compensate for what is lost from the lack of an orchestra.
I’ve said it before. The best recording of the LvB symphonies I’ve heard is by Cyprien Katsaris. The Pastoral symphony in particular is simply a better piece on piano.
Idil Biret has done the Brahms symphonies however, and there I did miss the orchestra.