Transcriptions
“Music should constantly be reimagined, reinterpreted, and it should never be static.”
—Nikka Gershman
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La Valse
Never before performed on flute, Gershman’s transcription of Maurice Ravel’s La Valse becomes a thrilling flute/piano duet. Ravel’s rich and mesmerizing harmonies are displayed in the intertwining counterpoint between the two instruments, their voices engrossing the sound of the entire orchestra.
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Mephisto Waltz
Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz was originally written for full orchestra before being arranged for piano by the composer himself. Gershman’s version fuses Liszt’s piano adaptation while being faithful to his orchestral score, creating an intricate dialogue between the flute and piano.
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Liebestod
This transcription captures the metaphysical transfiguration during the climax of Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde. Originally arranged for piano by Liszt, Gershman’s addition of the flute rising along with the piano encapsulates the soprano rising with the orchestra.
Listen to excerpt | Purchase on Theodore Presser as part of the collection: Three Operatic Encores
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Die Fledermaus
The Overture from Strauss’s cherished Die Fledermaus is a piece overflowing with joy, traditionally performed as part of the Vienna Philharmonic’s New Year’s Concert. Arranged by Gershman for flute and piano, this encore is a “dessert” for your audience.
Listen on YouTube | Purchase on Theodore Presser as part of the collection: Three Operatic Encores
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Csárdás
The grand finale of Strauss’s ballet suite from his comic opera “Ritter Pázmán” is reimagined for flute, cello, piano, and tambourines by Nikka Gershman in an encore that will make your audience dance.
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Zigeunerweisen
A staple of the violin repertoire, Gershman transcribed this virtuoso showpiece to showcase the potential of the flute and push the boundaries of the instrument. From the gentlest pianissimo to the most fiery vivace, the entire range and capability of the flute is demonstrated in Gershman’s arrangement.
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Hora Staccato
Originally composed by the virtuoso Romanian violinist Grigoras Dinicu, Gershman arranged this beloved encore for flute. With the inclusion of extended techniques such as fluttertongue, this piece can literally “blow away” your audience.
