the last 3 TEs

[stevie]

i was just thinking, is the order of the liszt etudes random, or is there musical or emotional logic to it?

the last 3 in particular, i seem to associate with elements of death.

TE 10 is struggling, passionate, and the chromatic descendiong theme, and other parts of it...it sounds like a descent into hell, and the final triplet octaves part is very devilish, true.

TE 11, on the other hand, is just heavenly, it has a very ascending feel to it, there is struggle, there is passion, but it is enveloped in a calm haze, the opening and ending.

TE 12 is the aftermath, the wind storms around the grave.

hahah, indeed true

these 3 work well as a set in a recital too, id imagine, the end of chasse neige sends chills up anyones spine.

[cherub_rocker1979]

Wow, you make it sound so depressing but maybe Liszt had something similar in mind.

[countchocula]

2 years ago I ended a recital with those three, in their correct order - very effective.
Before the recital, it was suggested to me to re-order them, ending with no.10 - what a mistake that would have been...

[stevie]

Wow, you make it sound so depressing but maybe Liszt had something similar in mind.

we cannot know for sure, TE10 is without a title, TE12 goes along with what i say , a storm, and TE11 is entitled evening harmonies,  which makes a little sense, but why call such a profound piece that name?

im still not sure, but thats how i think of the pieces, among the greatest music ever written for piano, IMO.