Christopher Taylor, piano

Program

Ludwig van Beethoven (arr. Franz Liszt), Symphony No. 3, Eroica (1803, arr. 1864)
Ludwig van Beethoven (arr. Franz Liszt), Symphony No. 4 (1806, arr. 1864)

Isabella Stewart Gardner idolized Beethoven. The life mask of the composer (below) is still on view at her Museum. Pianist Christopher Taylor will scale the Everest of piano literature, works Vladimir Horowitz called simply "the greatest works for the piano."

Taylor takes on the craggy Eroica symphony and the sunny Fourth in his traversal of Liszt’s solo-piano transcriptions of Beethoven’s nine symphonies. Beyond being legendarily difficult and virtuosic, these transcriptions give listeners the rare chance to hear the inner workings of Beethoven’s epochal symphonies afresh. These are not “fantasias,” as are so many transcriptions: Liszt reverentially and painstakingly found ways to include every note.

Isabella was also a great admirer of Liszt and was in fact traveling to meet with him when he died suddenly. Gardner attended his funeral, supported his grieving family, and cast the first shovel of earth onto his coffin. 

COVID-19 POLICY

While the City of Boston’s vaccination and mask mandates are lifted for general museum visits, the Gardner maintains its proof of vaccination and mask requirements for free and ticketed events in Calderwood Hall. Please visit the Know Before You Go web page for additional information, including accepted forms of documentation. Please contact the Box Office at 617 278 5156 for further assistance.

Tickets are required and include Museum admission. Choose from two seating sections. 

SECTION A: FLOOR LEVEL AND FIRST BALCONY

Adults $45, seniors $40, members $35, students & children ages 7-17 $20 (children under 7 not admitted).

SECTION B: SECOND AND THIRD BALCONIES

Adults $40, seniors $35, members $30,students & children ages 7-17 $20 (children under 7 not admitted).

HOW TO BUY TICKETS:

• Online: Click the TICKETS button
• By phone: Call the box office at 617 278 5156, Wednesday–Monday, 10 am–4 pm; Thursday until 6 pm; CLOSED TUESDAY

For sold-out performances, standby tickets may be available in the lobby no earlier than one hour before the performance begins. We cannot guarantee the availability of standby tickets for sold-out performances.

OF NOTE

• Seating in Calderwood Hall is open within each seating level.
• To request accessible or wheelchair seating please call the box office at 617 278 5156.
• Seating begins 45 minutes before performance time. Once the performance begins, seating is not guaranteed.
• No refunds or exchanges will be made.
• Programs are subject to change.