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Piano Board => Repertoire => Topic started by: the romantic on September 01, 2010, 04:16:47 AM

Title: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: the romantic on September 01, 2010, 04:16:47 AM

Hello all,

Ok, I know this makes you sick hahaha. ;D  And yes, I have read all of Bernhard's posts on difficulty rankings - and also downloaded the comprehensive spreadsheet available here.  But Liszt's pieces are not usually covered.

Here are the pieces I am interested in:

Mephisto Waltz - #1
Ballade - #2
Grand Galop Chromatique
Consolation - #3
Liebesträum - #3
Valse Oubliee - #1
Hungarian Rhapsody - #2
Hungarian Rhapsody - #5
Hungarian Rhapsody - #12
Hungarian Rhapsody - #14
Transcendental Etude - #1 Preludio
Transcendental Etude - #9 Ricordanza
Transcendental Etude - #10 Allegro agitato molto
Transcendental Etude - #11 Harmonies du Soir
Transcendental Etude - #12 Chasse-Neige
Concert Etude S144 - #1 Il lamento
Concert Etude S144 - #2 La leggierezza
Concert Etude S144 - #3 Un sospiro
Concert Etude S145 - #1 Waldesrauschen
Concert Etude S145 - #2 Gnomenreigen
Paganini Etude - #6

I understand that most, if not all, of these will be grade 8+, but I would like to know how you would rank them as being the least difficult to learn, based on the number of difficulties (huge number of notes to learn, fast trills, fast scales, huge leaps etc.).  I know that difficulties are also individual and relative which will make any list subjective, but still.....

Thanks a lot!!

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: invictious on September 01, 2010, 09:26:28 AM

I haven't played all of them, but the easiest three I think, would be:
Consolation #3;
Liebestraume #3; and
Un Sospiro

Hope that helps.

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: pianist1976 on September 01, 2010, 09:42:15 AM

In my humble opinion, the most difficult of that list is Chasse Neige (just my two completely subjective cents  ;) )

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: thoven_liszt on September 12, 2010, 08:23:02 PM

Apparently Transcendental Etude no. 12 is very difficult in regards to technique and stamina. I also think the Mephisto Valse would be quite strenuous (long) ... but then again, Liszt is a very demanding composer. What one pianist finds difficult may not necessarily be so for another pianist. You should probably start with Gnomenreigen (sp?), Unsospiro, the Hungarian Rhapsodies, and then work on the Transcendental Etudes. Apparently this progression helps develop the strength required without unnecessary muscle strain.

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: mikey6 on September 13, 2010, 01:54:11 AM

Quote from: thoven_liszt on September 12, 2010, 08:23:02 PM

You should probably start with Gnomenreigen (sp?)
Start with Gnomenreigen!? I've heard many a professional pianist say even they get tired out by the f#maj section - might want to start with something a little less strenuous!

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: pianisten1989 on September 13, 2010, 02:44:14 PM

PLAY MAZEPPA FIRST!!!!

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: magio on September 13, 2010, 03:11:49 PM

Consolation No 3 should be the easiest and of course tran. etudes the hardest! :)

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: zippi on June 13, 2013, 01:20:38 PM

EASIEST:
Consolation - #3 (Polyrhythm isnt that easy. But Paul Barton has a good tutorial!)
Liebesträume - #3(cadenzas, emphasis of the melody)
Valse Oubliee - #1
Concert Etude S144 - #3 Un sospiro (It is easier as it looks ;) )
Concert Etude S145 - #1 Waldesrauschen
Concert Etude S145 - #2 Gnomenreigen

HARDEST:
Transcendental Etude's (no.1,3,7,9 are bit "easier" than the rest)
Grand Galop Chromatique
Mephisto Waltz - #1


NOTE: I didn't play all of them. It is just my opinion/impression

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: piano1mn on June 13, 2013, 09:01:04 PM

Easiest:
Grand Galop Chromatique probably

Title: Re: Difficulty rankings for a few of Liszt's pieces?
Post by: piano1mn on June 13, 2013, 09:07:46 PM

Hello all,

Ok, I know this makes you sick hahaha. Grin  And yes, I have read all of Bernhard's posts on difficulty rankings - and also downloaded the comprehensive spreadsheet available here.  But Liszt's pieces are not usually covered.

Here are the pieces I am interested in:

Mephisto Waltz - #1
Ballade - #2
Grand Galop Chromatique
Consolation - #3
Liebesträum - #3
Valse Oubliee - #1
Hungarian Rhapsody - #2
Hungarian Rhapsody - #5
Hungarian Rhapsody - #12
Hungarian Rhapsody - #14
Transcendental Etude - #1 Preludio
Transcendental Etude - #9 Ricordanza
Transcendental Etude - #10 Allegro agitato molto
Transcendental Etude - #11 Harmonies du Soir
Transcendental Etude - #12 Chasse-Neige
Concert Etude S144 - #1 Il lamento
Concert Etude S144 - #2 La leggierezza
Concert Etude S144 - #3 Un sospiro
Concert Etude S145 - #1 Waldesrauschen
Concert Etude S145 - #2 Gnomenreigen
Paganini Etude - #6

I understand that most, if not all, of these will be grade 8+, but I would like to know how you would rank them as being the least difficult to learn, based on the number of difficulties (huge number of notes to learn, fast trills, fast scales, huge leaps etc.).  I know that difficulties are also individual and relative which will make any list subjective, but still.....

Thanks a lot!!




I was wrong Consolation is probably the esaiest.
from easy to hard:


Dont have valse oubilee. have easy alfred original version though
Consolation #3
Grand Galop Chromatique
Waldesrauschen
Preludio- Transcedental Etude
Transcedental- HArmonies du Soir
Liebstraum 3
Ballade
Gnome
Concert Etude 2
Concert 1
Concert 3 Un Sospiro
Hungarian Rhapsody 2
Ricordanza
Mephisto Waltz
Sno storm (Chasse Neige0