Mendelssohn Songs without words op53 no3

[caioramos]

When I first heard this piece in a recital in my conservatory I got in love with it and had to play it. I think my level is about 7 or 8, I'm just finishing Rach's Prelude op3 no2, and this one I can say is way more difficult than rach's. If rach prelude is graded level 8, I dont know why piano street got this one grade so wrong. The jumps with 5th finger arpeggios on the left hand is just too hard for a level 6 and 7 player, if this piece were slower, it would be ok, but Presto Agitato makes the whole difference.

So I wonder what grade this is, in my opinion i would risk to say its level 8 at least
Just posting out of curiosity, I want to know your opinion about it. =)


Thanks

[landru]

Well....since nobody has replied to your very valid question I'll take a stab. I've learned about 7 or 8 of Mendelssohn's Songs Without Words so I'm somewhat used to his various styles he uses in these pieces. The overriding principle of most of these works is a melody accompanied very assertively by arpeggios (another principle it seems is intricate voices similar to Schumann).

This one is in the "assertive arpeggio" style - and with Presto Agitato it is very assertive. That being said, the arpeggios are simpler in form that some of his others, the difficulty seems to be in achieving Presto (the agitato takes care of itself  ).

Right now I would say I am level 7 for some techniques and level 6 for other (mostly where speed is paramount). I cannot really attempt a level 8 piece. With this one I feel that I could attempt it - since from my experience in Mendelssohn I can pick up the arpeggios fairly well. From the complexity of the piece as a whole and the Presto factor I feel it is at the border of 7 to 8. I think 8 is too high as I'm not thinking it approaches virtuoso territory yet - but what do I know?