Etudes

[chopinfan_22]

I have a question about Liszt's Etudes. Now I know some of them are completely off the wall... but to any of you that have played/taught them, how helpful are they? I was thinking of trying his first Trascandental Etude (in C). It's only two pages... the last page being arpeggios. I just wanted to gather an opinion. Thanks.

[franzliszt2]

They are very helpful if you have a strong technique, they will push it further. For example, if you can play the chopin 3rds etude, and 6ths etude, one could say that you have a good double note technique. Try Feux follets, and its a different matter. Learn feux follets, then you have a great double not technique, which surpasses chopins. The liszt Etudes also help the LH more than chopin, in my opinion Chopin is not good for Left hand. The revelutionary etude presents no severe difficulties, whereas transcendental No. 10, is very tricky for the LH. The Liszt etudes are very good for arms, and shoulders, which is needed in much of Liszts music, and very big powerful pieces, like Rachmaninoff concerto's Tchaikovsky concerto etc.

In my opinion the Liszt etudes are very beneficial and greatr fun, as well as great music

[g_s_223]

A good exposure to Liszt's music in general is helpful to developing a comprehensive piano technique. I'd suggest looking at his listening to his three volumes of the Années de Pelerinage and see what pieces catch your attention.

There is a wide variety of pieces in there, of varying characters and difficulty, and most aren't too long.

 

[donjuan]

The only one I have played is the first one.  Learn it, it's fun!  It also impresses smart and stupid people alike when you play in public.  The 2nd page is easy if you use the Busoni fingering.  The hardest part of the piece for me is that first descending C7 arpeggio, but if you have encountered similar passages like it in other pieces, then you shouldn't have a problem.  Learn it!!  It makes for a great introduction when playing for people.

I dont think I can learn any of the others, but maybe No. 7 eroica.  But who wants to play eroica?  no one, thats who!    1837 setting is much better for that one.