Chopin helps us play Liszt ??

[liszt_ani_rach]

Hey guys,
I wanted to start either Mazeppa or Feux Follets.
It isn't a joke because I've studied other Paganini Etudes too.
I know that both of those transcendental etudes are very tough, so I was wondering if anyone could tell me what Chopin etudes cover up the technical difficulties of those 2 etudes?
If I do the etudes that you tell me, it will be easier for me to learn Mazeppa and Feux Follets.

I will appreciate your help.

[lorditachijr]

Those two transcendental etudes are generally considered the hardest of the set. What Chopin etudes have you already studied? Studying Chopin's etudes will not specifically prepare you for studying Liszt's etudes. Generally the first TE pianists play is either the 1st or the 3rd. Have you listened to all of them? There are many in the set that are just as great as, or in my opinion better, than Mazeppa or Feux Follets. My advice would be to listen to them all, make a list of the ones you like and show that list to your teacher, asking him/her which would be best for you at the moment. Remember though that playing etudes isn't necessary to play difficult literature. If you look at my repertoire in my signature you will see the Chopin Op. 25 No. 12. It is the first etude I've ever studied, but I'm still playing everything else on that list. A Hungarian Rhapsody would probably better prepare you technically for those etudes than a Chopin etude would, since Chopin and Liszt wrote in different styles. These suggestions are based on never having heard you play, and I think it would be easier for anybody who intends to respond if you post a recording for us to listen to. Really the only one who knows what is best for you is your teacher.

Good luck!
John

[liszt_ani_rach]

Thanks for the advice. My piano teacher asked me to do paysage (no.3). Maybe I will do that.

[lostinidlewonder]

The double notes figures you get in Feux Follets you do not find in Chopin and it is considered among the most difficult double note passages in the Classical repertoire to gain mastery over. Roger Woodard mentioned to me how Claudio Arrau observed a conservatory student play it much faster than he ever could and it troubled him so much so that he spent time developing a circular technique in his hand to deal with it.

There is no learning one piece to be able to play another. You either have the technical capability or not. If you do not have it then you can measure whether or not it is efficient for you to try and improve your technique to deal with it. If this takes too long then perhaps you should be studying other material then come back to these etudes. I had to return to the Liszt Transcendental Etudes several times throughout my life and it was only after 20 years of playing that they started to feel somewhat routine to sight. Some people of course tackle these etudes to acquire technique, however I believe this is an inefficient approach (even though many conservatories still do it, i.e neglecting a students personal playing and requesting repertoire regardless of the students efficiency learning it). Students end up having to do extended hours of practice a day to compensate, but really that is silliness for long term study.

[danhuyle]

If it's your goal to play all the Liszt Transcendental Etudes, then start with 1 and 3. I've played no5, it's one of those where you have to practice slowly with the right fingering and come back numerous times. Feux Follets has the scales and arpeggio passages, and that's nothing you can't do.

First part has double note passages in Bb major, Eb major and minor. 

Middle section - scales and arpeggios, nothing unusual and nothing you can't do here.

Second part the double note passages are in A major and D Major and D minor with accompaniments that change, similar to the first section.

Climax - Very challenging to clarify the melody.

Yes, learn TE 3 from your teacher. As for TE 5, I'd practice it slowly and have it memorized to the point where you're no longer affected by the technique. It's not worth wasting lessons on it when the teacher is going to tell you that you have to work on clarity and projection of melody.

TE 10 is very easy to memorize. Easy to memorize does not mean easy to play.

Why not learn Chopin 4 Scherzi and Fantasie Op49? They're a lot easier to handle than the Liszt Transcendental Etudes and Chopin Etudes. Liszt Sonata is easy to memorize and easier to handle than Transcendental Etudes. If you know how to phrase and control your rhythm in this, then you'll be fine. 

[pianoplayjl]

I don't think  any Chopin etudes cover the technique required for the two etudes.