Ravel - Jeux D'eau or Debussy - Reflects dans l'eau

[grandstaff]

Hello everyone!

I am interested in playing one of these two (fantastic) pieces. I want to play something "watery" and impressionistic and these are two of my favorites. I have a few small questions, however. I want to know which one is more difficult, both technically and musically. (Reflects dans l'eau sounds harder, but they both sound very hard) Also, which one do you like more?

[williampiano]

Although both are incredibly difficult, I think Reflects dans l'eau is slightly more difficult. I also like that one more. I have the feeling a lot people are going to disagree with me and will Jeux D'eau is harder, but I disagree.  

[49410enrique]

agreed with above, both are super difficult, probably just go with which ever speaks to you more musically, usually it's not a good idea to make musical decisions for technical reasons, as a matter of fact, usually it's the other way around.

another 'watery' jewel in case you want a third option to weigh in on:

although we wouldn't necessarily classify liszt as part of the the 'impressionism' movement, towards the end he begain to really explore some very modern harmonic approaches and this piece is a bit ahead of it's time and i consider it a bridge piece between late romanticism and impressionism
Arrau plays Liszt 'Les jeux d'eaux à la Villa d'Este' (rec.1969)

[thorn]

I am going to be the one to say Jeux d'eau is harder. I have played the other Ravel water pieces (Une Barque/Ondine) but never done more than mess with Jeux- I find it so difficult!

In terms of making music out of it, both pieces are equal, but going purely with technique I find Reflets quite straightforward. I haven't played it in years, but I don't remember there being anywhere near as many stretches/jumps in there as you get in Jeux.

Personally, if I was going to choose a water piece to work up for performance, I would go with Une Barque.

[teccomin]

Music wise, I find it harder to play out the nuances of reflects than jeux. Maybe its just me, I generally find playing Debussy more awkward, even though Ravel is technically more difficult.

[jmanpno]

I agree with thorn and teccomin.  Jeux d'eau is technically more complex.  The juxtaposition of the hands can be slightly awkward at times, and the glissandi though often found in piano literature is outside the body of what is very traditionally normal.   That being said, there are certainly tricky aspects to Reflets (a piece which btw is one of my absolute specialities).

I have to disagree with thorn when s/he says that Une Barque is the best one to play.  Although some of the effects are truly fantastic, it is not musically as important or well constructed as Reflets. 

Ultimately it does come down to what speaks to you.  Ravel and Debussy are worlds apart sonically. 

[milesofmusic]

Reflects dans l'eau = not as hard........technically. Musically, not so sure.