Which etude? Liszt vs. Chopin

[LiszTMaN]

For my level 10 exam, I have to play an advanced etude. I have narrowed down my choices between Liszt's Concert Etudes and Chopin's Winterwind and Opus. 10 and Opus. 25 Etudes.

Could someone tell me which one is more challenging and recommend me the best one for me?

The pieces in my repertoire include

--Hungarian Rhapsody #11 (thanks Darkwind for the great tip)
-Beethoven Sonata Opus 106 (Hammerklavier) all movenements
-Chopin Ballade #4
-Liszt Concert Paraphrase of Eranni
-Bach Suite #5
-Rachmaninoff Sonata #2 (1st and 3rd movements)


PLEASE GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS FOR MY ETUDE AND REPERTOIRE

[LiszTMaN]

SOMEONE PLEASE REPLY MY TEACHER SAYS IF I DON't PICK THE ETUDE: SHE'S   ???GOING TO FORCE ME TO PLAY PROKIEV"S TOCCATA

[liszmaninopin]

Don't you have any easier pieces in your repertoire?  Hammerklavier is Beethoven's hardest solo work, Rach Sonata 2 is one of Rach's hardest works, Chopin Ballade #4 is one of Chopin's hardest works-are you sure you play these pieces really well?

Well, if you're looking for sheer technical difficulty-I would say that for Chopin, you could use:

op. 10:  #1,2,4
op. 25:  #6,10,11,12

These are all IMO difficult works, highly musical, and if played well would give a good impression.  For Liszt, if you want concert etudes, I would recommend Gnomenreigen.  If you want a Liszt transcendental, try either Mazeppa, Feux Follets, or Wilde Jagd.

[liszmaninopin]

since you mention the toccata:

I just finished this piece-it's tough, but once one gets the hang of the rythms it really comes together, at least in my experience.  I love the piece, and you needn't dread it if you've played Hammerklavier, lol.

[LiszTMaN]

I have trouble with the Rach Sonata#2 in the third movement due to the demanding technical passages.
I have Beethoven's Sonata down very well, and I am trying to come up with an original interpretation for it. The movement in the Beethoven Sonata is really hard though, and I sometimes stop during the transition between the left and right hand parts.


LISZT'S  CONCERT PARAPHRASE FOR ERANNI IS DEFINETLY THE HARDEST PIECE IN MY REPORTOIRE due to the coordination of the left hand and right hand during the rapid scale passages. COULD YOU GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS ON THIS PIECE IF ANY OF YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OR PLAYED IT BEFORE.

Hungarian Rhapsody is coming along well with the exception of the rapid tremolos.

[LiszTMaN]

I only dread the Prokiev's Toccata because I usually get confused with the complicated rythmn in some places. By the way the Hammerklavier took forever to learn ( 2 and a half years of dedicated practice) I put off my level 10 so i could get admitted into the YAG with this piece

[liszmaninopin]

actually, the rythm of the toccata isn't all that complicated, it's just driving and relentless.  There are almost nonstop sixteenth notes, at even tempo, throughout the piece.  The hands follow each other generally very closely (rythmically speaking).  The main rythmic difficulty is keeping it even, and adding accents in intelligent places so the piece makes sense.  Also, one must bring out the multiple voices that are so frequently moving in the toccata.  The main difficulties, in my opinion, are the passages of rapidly moving thirds and chords, as well as the little quick jumps.

Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with that Liszt concert paraphrase, so I really can't help you there.

[Pumpkinhead]

wow liszt, you are in the YAG? Which state do you live in? don't worry, I'm not a stalker.

[in_love_with_liszt]

I have trouble with the Rach Sonata#2 in the third movement due to the demanding technical passages.
I have Beethoven's Sonata down very well, and I am trying to come up with an original interpretation for it. The movement in the Beethoven Sonata is really hard though, and I sometimes stop during the transition between the left and right hand parts.


LISZT'S  CONCERT PARAPHRASE FOR ERANNI IS DEFINETLY THE HARDEST PIECE IN MY REPORTOIRE due to the coordination of the left hand and right hand during the rapid scale passages. COULD YOU GIVE ME SUGGESTIONS ON THIS PIECE IF ANY OF YOU HAVE EVER HEARD OR PLAYED IT BEFORE.

Hungarian Rhapsody is coming along well with the exception of the rapid tremolos.

It seems like all you care about is difficulty. Why not go for a piece that you love? If you really like Winter Wind, then do that one! If you really like Gnomenreign, then do that one! It won't mean nearly as much to your audience, and to you, if you don't really care about the pieces you are performing, and are simply doing it as an attempt to scream "Look! Look at my technique!" All etudes by Chopin and Liszt (and other other composers as well) are by their nature designed to be difficult, so you don't need to worry which is the hardest of the hardest, just choose something you know you like.

[in_love_with_liszt]

And I am rather curious as to what these "Level Exams" are that everyone keeps talking about.

[liszmaninopin]

wow liszt, you are in the YAG? Which state do you live in? don't worry, I'm not a stalker.

Which Liszt are you referring to?  LiszTMan, or myself?

[bachmaninov]

Ive played Toccatta... and the rythm isnt that bad... I'll tell you what is bad!

The passages when the left and right hand Shoot towards the opposite ends of the piano and come together ... I rarely play that part perfectly.

[liszmaninopin]

For me, the single hardest passage of the toccata is near the beginning of what is pg. 3 on my edition  There are the advancing chords, then the right hand shoots up and then back down.

[Sketchee]

I don't really have much to add ... just noticed there are a lot of people in this thread with "Lizst" in their name!  I like most of the Liszt and Chopin etudes.  You can do a quick search of the forum for opinions but just find one yuo like and go for it

[LiszTMaN]

I belong to the YAG of California

[Pumpkinhead]

Cool liztman, I saw you this year at that convention in San Diego. Town and Country right? Yeah man, you played great, the liszt blew people away.
ohyeah, I'm trying out for YAG this year, do you like it?

[thierry13]

What's the YAG?

[Pumpkinhead]

the YAG stands for the Young Artists Guild (of california). A ton of people out of people try out, but only the cream of the Crop are accepted. Usually like 4-6 people are accepted in to the YAG each year, and are in it for 5 years. They're than assigned semi-professional performances. Man, that sounds freakin tight. I must get in  

[liszmaninopin]

does anybody know if there's a YAG branch over here in Maryland?  It sounds like something I'd like to apply for.

[LiszTMaN]

By the way, what do you people think of CHOPIN"S WINTERWIND ETUDE  OP>25 NO>11

[mh88]

quite difficult to lears at first...but once you get the pattern and the chord structure...the fingers can fall into place quite nicely.....but it's bear when you first start out