How Difficult Is Liebenstraum 3 Really?

[fuel925]

Just wondering what the actual difficulty level of this Liszt piece is... is it harder or easier than it looks on paper? To listen to it sounds quite difficult, it seems easier on paper than it does on CD if that makes sense.

[sarahlein]

"Difficulty" is relative.

What is difficult for someone may not be difficult for you and vice versa.

Also approching the piece (any piece for that matter) with the right movements then some things will not be as difficult at all!!

So what you need to think about is what are the right movements for this piece? That is especially important for the parts that will be or are ,if you know already,  technicaly difficult for you.  A good teacher can help you with that.
 
Practise those first (where they are needed in the piece).

If that doesn't give you any problems then enjoy making music

[fuel925]

True indeed - difficulty is relative, however its possible to assign an approximate level, or grade to a piece. What grade (or is it post-grades) would you estimate this piece to be?

[Tash]

well i know here in oz with the AMEB system it's in the Cmus certificate in the piano for leisure series, along with the fantasie impromptu. so that's just above grade 8 supposedly.  i dunno what's it's like to play, i've only analysed it rather than played it... just give it a play and see how you go!

[sarahlein]

The conservatory I studied at, had it at an advanced level.
I can imagine that would be ABRSM 8+. I'm not quite sure since their grading system is different to anything I've read in the Forum.

I've learned it along with advanced repertoire pieces and personaly I felt it could be graded lower.

The 'cadenza- like' parts are fun to play and are not as hard as they sound.

I remember my teacher saying that one has to at least experience falling passionately in love to do justice to the love song ( liebestraum) and perform it as it should.

[systen]

This piece doesn't look/sound that diffcult, but don't underestimate this piece, it's not that easy as it looks. Though, I don't think more average/advanced players will have many problems with this piece. The most difficult thing about this piece is to put the right emotion in it imo.

[nanabush]

The beginning and ending of the piece is easy technically, but I think musically it is the most difficult to master.  The climax takes a long time to get perfectly because there are quite a few jumps, and the two cadenzas were quite difficult [at first].  This piece is pretty challenging, but go for it it's rewarding after being able to play.

[berrt]

btw - correct spelling is: Liebestraum (dream of love)