Lizst Hungarian Rhapsody

[pianohenry]

My brother says he hears someone playing it amazingly at college.

i think its number 2 - its the famous one used in the Stella Artois advert, and geoffrey rush (david helfgott) plays it in "Shine". think its C# minor.

i was wondering, is it originally written for solo piano, or for 4 hands? because i think i saw a version in a shop that was for 4 hands... but in the film he does it for solo.

just was wondering which its originally written for, and also how difficult it is, what sort of standard to play?

henry

[mephisto]

It is very very difficult. The piece was composed after Liszt heard Gypsy fiddlers improvise on simple tunes. Liszt was very much impressed by what he heard, and through his live he composed 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies and mnay other pieces of the same character.

The piece is originally for 2 hands(one person ) and it requires a player with a lot of temperament and exitement. But there exist many arrangements for didferent ensembles.

But just so you know it, some pianist don't like the fact that this one is particulary overplayed. I somewhat agree because the other ones are amazing too, but this one is very much loved by the audience.

Maybe you should check out the no3 if this one is too difficult.

[henrah]

And if you want tendonitis/carpal tunnel, go for number 6 lol

j/k, your arms would fall off way before you got either of those two problems
Henrah


EDIT: Just realised it might have sounded a bit insulting, if so please don't take it that way, I'm just having a bit of fun... boredom kills...

[pianohenry]

lol i might not try any of them at the moment yeh i know what you mean about it being overplayed, but as long as its played well (rather than bad pianists trying to play it when its way beyond their level, just because they think its a fab tune) then i dont think it detracts too much from it... so far i havent got tired of hearing it.

but i havent heard any of the others - maybe i like some of those too.

dont worry henrah i didnt notice anything insulting about it until you told me

thats ok... i doubt id be able to play it yet 

[ilikepie]

You should listen to all of the Hungarian Rhapsodies. It's definitely worth it. I personally think that no.9 is the best. And even though no.2 is overplayed, it still is worth it to add to ones repertoire.

[ralessi]

Forget the originals! Learn the Horowitz transcriptions! Or this volodos!  Make them a bit fun.... 

Cheers!
Rick