Liszt - Mephisto Waltz Nr.1

[invictus]

So I have begun to learn this piece, I have approximately 3 months to learn it. I am somewhere in the margin of ATCL. The pieces I have learnt recently are:

Rachmaninoff - Prelude no. 5 in G minor and the no.3 in C# minor op.2

Rimsky-Karsakov - Flight of the Bumble-Bee arr. Rach

Moszkowski - Etude No.6 in F major

Prokofiev - Suggestion Diabolique

Now I am learning Chopin Ballade No.3 in Ab major.

I am also learning Mephisto Waltz No.1 for my recital in several months. Right now I am a good 13 pages into the song, but I am thinking the end is literally a Mephisto, it is very diabolical, and I am starting to doubt whether I can play this piece up to par and up to speed.

If you guys think that I can't do you, can you guys suggest perhaps some technical advice, or an alternative piece which is similar in length but easier and similar in the theme.

Thanks

[invictus]

I play the Liszt Edition (not the busoni one)

The first 13 pages are not too comfortable for me, I can only play at 2/3 of  the piece, with a fist full of mistakes

[donjuan]

youre being too general, I think.  Any advice people would offer you based on what you say wouldnt be very helpful.  I think we need to hear a recording of you, or have you describe specific passages you are having problems with.  I know- when I was doing Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2, it felt as if the whole thing was falling apart at times; in fact, it was just one chord here and there, or one position change that were snagging the piece from working.

You are 13 pages in and have 3 months left.  It's certainly possible to get it up to par, but you've gotta get crackin'

[mike_lang]

youre being too general, I think.  Any advice people would offer you based on what you say wouldnt be very helpful.  I think we need to hear a recording of you, or have you describe specific passages you are having problems with.  I know- when I was doing Hungarian Rhapsody no. 2, it felt as if the whole thing was falling apart at times; in fact, it was just one chord here and there, or one position change that were snagging the piece from working.

You are 13 pages in and have 3 months left.  It's certainly possible to get it up to par, but you've gotta get crackin'

Yes...what specific passages give you difficulty?

Michael

[maxy]

 you may want to start working on the hardest part: what is just before the climax till what comes right after.  The rest is hard, but not too nasty.  The jumps require a lot of physical and mental preparation.

in 3 months,  a lot can be done.  If you did play suggestion diabolique, you should be physically ready to tackle Mephisto IMO.

it's a fun piece, enjoy!

[invictus]

Basically 90% of the thing is giving some difficulty
When I first started this piece, the first row is already giving me dificulty of not relaxing, so I referred to Suggestion Diabolique, and relaxed, took some time. THen 2nd page, the entrance to the theme, the octave part, the part where the octaves are switching, right in the middle of the 2nd page gives me more difficulty, then there is the crosshanded theme, I can't even play that up to speed, maybe I am not ready for that yet.
Basically everything in this piece is giving me a headache.

[mike_lang]

Basically 90% of the thing is giving some difficulty
When I first started this piece, the first row is already giving me dificulty of not relaxing, so I referred to Suggestion Diabolique, and relaxed, took some time. THen 2nd page, the entrance to the theme, the octave part, the part where the octaves are switching, right in the middle of the 2nd page gives me more difficulty, then there is the crosshanded theme, I can't even play that up to speed, maybe I am not ready for that yet.
Basically everything in this piece is giving me a headache.

If this much of it is so difficult, you may just not be ready yet.  I seldom say this because I hated being told this, but if everything in Mephisto is giving you a headache, there are probably more productive pieces for you to play at this point.

Best,
Michael

[invictus]

Can anyone then please suggest any alternatives? A piece that is dark, menacing, evil, diablo, mephisto, devi, demon etc.

That is simpler than Mephisto, and about the same length, that is exciting and fun, and evil!

[donjuan]

well, if you like the later Liszt, then check out Czardas Macabre.

You know, mephisto waltz isnt that 'evil.'  It's about love more than anything..

You could do Liszt's Ballade No. 2 (I play this this one).  I think it's about war and purity, but it has dark rumbling passages that you might like. (my recording - https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,17171.0.html)

have a look at this thread about 'sinister' sounding music:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,1044.0.html

[ramseytheii]

well, if you like the later Liszt, then check out Czardas Macabre.

You know, mephisto waltz isnt that 'evil.'  It's about love more than anything..

Huh? I disagree.  It is very diabolical, right on to the sinister irony of the final page, after the nightingale calls out into the dawn.  It is all about seduction, of the hysterical persuasions of Mephisto, which grow more and more intense as the piece progresses, culminating in the wild passage of single note to octave leaps, and the massive, forte possibile arpeggios.  Any moments of "safe", lovely beauty are inevitably interrupted by the cackling laughter and seduction of Mephisto!  Liszt wrote 3 Mephisto Waltzes, and also it is said that the Sonata is based on the Faust characters and themes; also he wrote a Faust symphony.  Why, I wonder, did he so identify with these characters - the devil especially!

Walter Ramsey

[mike_lang]

Huh? I disagree.  It is very diabolical, right on to the sinister irony of the final page, after the nightingale calls out into the dawn.  It is all about seduction, of the hysterical persuasions of Mephisto, which grow more and more intense as the piece progresses, culminating in the wild passage of single note to octave leaps, and the massive, forte possibile arpeggios.  Any moments of "safe", lovely beauty are inevitably interrupted by the cackling laughter and seduction of Mephisto!  Liszt wrote 3 Mephisto Waltzes, and also it is said that the Sonata is based on the Faust characters and themes; also he wrote a Faust symphony.  Why, I wonder, did he so identify with these characters - the devil especially!

Walter Ramsey

Agreed...this piece is about lust, more than anything, and Mephistopheles' encouragement of it in Faust.