Liszt's Pianoconcerto's

[franz_]

They are 3.
Which one is the most difficult? Which one is the easiest? Which one did you played? Which mouvmnt is the hardest?
Tell me everything about it. I'm planning to play one, but can't choose.

[verywellmister]

I believe no.2 is the most difficult and no.1 is the easiest.  Totentanz is in between (and rather empty musically though a great showpiece).  They are all excellent and have bravura endings.  I have played none of them but Totentanz is on my list of pieces to play.

No.1 has 4 movements w/o pause.  One of the movements is a sort of duet between the piano and triangle.

Totentanz is shortest and has one movement.  It's about 15 mins. long.

No.2 is less popular.  it's in one movement (20 mins).

Go to wikipedia for more info.

[pianiststrongbad]

I have been working on no. 1 for a few months now.  So that is the only one I can relate to.  I can play all of it pretty well with the exception of a few spots.  There are a few scales across the entire keyboard, which I just can't seem to play fast enough.  I have never really run into problems with my scales not being fast enough before, so this is a bit frustrating.  My first problem spot is at the end of the first piano candenza there is a huge scale going up.  At the end of the first mov there is a chromatic scale which is suppose to be very fast and quiet.  And the second to last page of the concerto there is a big descending scale.  So far the one at the end has been by biggest problem. 
He also wrote a 3rd concerto which was recently discovered I think, though I have yet to give it a listen.  I don't like Totentanz very much.  1 and 2 are wonderful.

[lung7793]

I learned no. 1 a few years ago, currently trying to revive it with much difficulty.  It's pretty advanced...all the problems commented on above with tough, rapid scales.  There are lots of octaves, although they're not too tough.  A couple areas require a sustained trill w/ the outer fingers while chords/notes are played underneath, both hands at one point. 4th movement/section is non-stop with a tour of liszt's technical prowess, probably the toughest section.  I think the most difficult thing overall is getting beyond the technical aspects and capturing the playful character of it...it's like a looney tunes cartoon.

I've heard and looked at the score of 2, but haven't played so I don't know how it compares technically...probably about the same level as 1.  Don't know much about totentatz at all.  In either case, get out your metronome!   Good luck!

[jre58591]

liszt wrote a ton of piano/orchestra works, not just 3 concertos and totentanz. as a matter of fact, the complete set of piano-orchestra works is 5 CDs altogether. here is everything:

https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/index.html
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/index.html

[practicingnow]

I have played nos. 1 and 2 and Totentanz
Out of those three, I found that no. 2 (A major) is the most difficult musically, but the easiest technically.  If you are good at playing octaves, then most of it will not be a problem.
No. 1 (Eb major) was the hardest technically, but not difficult to achieve the musical ideas (!)
Totentanz was not as hard as it sounds, the most fun to play, and very effective for the audience