Piano transcription, which found its golden age in the 19th century with Franz Liszt, has made a remarkable comeback. Latest examples? Recent albums by pianists Florian Noack and Nikolaï Lugansky.
Should we see this as a race for virtuosity characteristic of our time? Or the desire to reconnect with a tradition that has disappeared for almost a century? Probably a bit of both. It goes beyond the mere technical challenge and appeals to an increasingly wider audience. It's the new holy grail for pianists.