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Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

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Topic: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder? (Read 13151 times)

ivoree

PS Silver Member
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Posts: 9

Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

on: April 02, 2009, 11:15:42 AM

https://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/stephen_hough/blog/2009/04/01/why_the_chopin_b_minor_sonata_is_harder_than_the_liszt_b_minor_sonata

I just read this blog by Stephen Hough. Quite interesting! Not sure I agree though ...

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thierry13

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Posts: 2292

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #1 on: April 02, 2009, 03:36:37 PM

I definitely agree.

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jbb

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Posts: 8

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #2 on: April 04, 2009, 06:47:28 AM

I don't. I think the Liszt is by far the greater work, and more difficult to pull off. If you follow a link in the thread, he ranks it "5/10" in technical difficulty, with the notion that most concert-level pianists would consider it to be of that average difficulty, and that the Chopin is much more (technically) difficult. What's rather silly about all of this is that, depending on hand sizes, shapes, and what comes easier/harder to different concert-level pianists, many would consider the Liszt much more difficult (technically). In fact most pianists I know think the 2nd Chopin sonata is much harder than the 3rd. It's all individual and there are no general rules. A very accomplished Russian concert artist once told me she considers the Liszt Sonata to be the hardest work in the [normal] repertoire, and her technique is by no means any less stellar than Mr. Hough's (look up the Mendelssohn/Rachmaninov Scherzo on Youtube by Nina Lelchuk).

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imbetter

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Posts: 1263

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #3 on: April 04, 2009, 12:12:32 PM

Not only is the Liszt better, but it's much harder. Case closed.

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opus10no2

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Posts: 2157

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #4 on: April 04, 2009, 02:59:34 PM

Depends entirely upon tempo and technical strengths.

The Liszt is harder either if you have poor octaves or if you choose a demanding/competitive tempo.

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thalberg

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Sr. Member
Posts: 1950

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #5 on: November 26, 2009, 11:33:41 AM

Hough is simply using a good article writing strategy. Making a very unconventional claim is a common way of getting people to read your article. "10 diet foods that actually make you fat" and things like that. People are intrigued when things that "everyone knows" are challenged and claimed to be wrong. People just adore it.

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alkanian

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Posts: 1

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #6 on: November 28, 2009, 07:24:25 PM

In terms of technical difficulty, the Liszt sonata would be harder. While the Chopin sonata is certainly difficult, it just doesn't compare.

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xelios

PS Silver Member
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Posts: 3

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #7 on: December 07, 2009, 04:37:26 PM

Interesting article. I agree, and I think Chopin's is also the better one.

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lohshuhan

Jr. Member
Posts: 74

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #8 on: December 11, 2009, 12:15:41 AM

Technicality would have to be liszt. But the chopin 2nd is one complex work if you wish to pull it off well.

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ara9100

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Jr. Member
Posts: 48

Re: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder?

Reply #9 on: December 12, 2009, 07:08:01 AM

They are both Masterpieces in their own way. Liszt piano sonata calls for a great amount of technical prowess,
but once you have mastered the there isnt much left to do you play what is written. The chopin is also difficult technically especially if you have small hands, But it takes a lot more than just learning the notes. To achieve the delicate style of Chopin is not an easy feat. I would say thatopin 2nd piano sonata is the more difficult if his sonatas,especially the Funeral march, because everyone has heard it a million times.

I am a Chopin fan, though i still hold Liszt very high up, because he made monumental changes and improvements to music.
(just adding this as a precaution, in case anyone decides that it is wise to attack my opinions.)

Ara.

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Piano Street Magazine:When Practice Stagnates – Breaking the Performance Ceiling: Robotic Training for Pianists

Topic: Chopin Sonata or Liszt Sonata - which is harder? (Read 13151 times)

Piano Street Magazine:Pianist Ruth Slenczynska at 100 – A Unique Musical Messenger!

Piano Street Magazine:
When Practice Stagnates – Breaking the Performance Ceiling: Robotic Training for Pianists

Piano Street Magazine:
Pianist Ruth Slenczynska at 100 – A Unique Musical Messenger!