Which is more difficult, and how much more so.....?

[eyeballnick]

WOuld you say on diffculty, not length, which is the more difficult.  Fantasy impromput, or moonlight sonata mvt 3??

[thalbergmad]

Working from memory, because i have not played either of these hateful pieces for 20 years, i would say the Beehoven is more difficult by some margin.

It is also the only one that is worth the effort.

Thal

[leucippus]

hateful pieces

Tsk tsk tsk

Sounds like you must have never really played them well to have such hostile memories of them.

[dnephi]

Tsk tsk tsk

Sounds like you must have never really played them well to have such hostile memories of them.

You are questioning Thalbergmad's technical prowess, which certainly smites you.

Op. 27 No. 2 III. is by far more difficult and is certainly far more important musically.  The FI is merely a novelty, perhaps.

[leucippus]

You are questioning Thalbergmad's technical prowess, which certainly smites you.

Not at all.  But how can anyone call something a "hateful piece" if they've ever played it lovingly?

This almost sounds like how a student would refer to a piece they were made to learn but never really wanted to play.  In that case, they probably never really played the piece well for obvious reasons.

I personaly don't believe there is such a thing as a hateful piece.  There are simply people who subjectively dislike certain pieces for whatever personal reasons. 

[dnephi]

Perhaps they are both hackneyed, with the FI hackneyed beyond repair?
OR perhaps hateful=fury, ad therefore he refers to the intensity of fury in the Beethoven .

[thalbergmad]

This almost sounds like how a student would refer to a piece they were made to learn but never really wanted to play. 

Spot on, I was required to learn both by a teacher that i left soon after.

Both of these pieces have been played to death by every 3rd rate hack in the Universe, including myself. I would not personally touch either with a barge pole.

Thal

[netzow]

I havn't played Either of these Pieces but my guess would be that it would depend on  who is playing learning them. i.e there technical ability-strong points.

[penguinlover]

I've only played the Beethoven, but enjoyed it immensely.  I think attitude is the most important thing here.  You'll enjoy the work it takes to learn a piece, and play it better if you like it.

[pianistimo]

if you hear a ring tone of these - then you really don't want to put in the effort anymore.  same with paganini variations.  this is the ringtone of my personal phone at home.  i hate it so much, i have to answer the phone really quick so i don't hear much of it.

eat a crumb cake and listen to someone else play it really well.  personally, i can't think of very many pianists besides pollini on the FI and maybe richter on the beethoven?  i hate to hear it all spazzed out with too much romanticism.  it's a song.  beethoven wasn't trying to stick fly paper on girls.