Etudes by Rachmaninov, Scriabin and Liszt

[pytheamateur]

Sorry it's one of those which-piece-is-harder questions again.

My teacher has recently suggested that I could learn an Etude-Tableaux by Rachmaninov: Op 39, No 5.  I mentioned Scriabin's Op 8, No 12 to him as an alternative and he seemed also to be open to the idea of my learning that piece.

Much as I am a lover of Rachmaninov, I have yet to fall in love with that piece.  My heart prefers the Scriabin piece.  But at the moment I have the most affinity for Liszt's La Campanella. 

Do you think La Campanella is more difficult than the two aforementioned etudes by Rachmaninov and Scriabin?  If so, is it of a different level altogether?

Whichever piece I end up choosing, I think I will have to spend months if not a year on learning and perfecting it.  It will be a big investment in time and money, so I might as well choose one that I like.

It might be possible that with time I'll grow to like the Rachmaninov piece, but at the moment my initial impressions are that it is not very melodic, with lots of chords most of the time.  It definitely does not sound romantic and might not catch on with my amateur friends.  It is no doubt difficult, but may not be a great "show-off" piece either; I feel it somehow lacks the "wow" factor that La Campanella has with the audience.

 

[49410enrique]

what are your performance options or preferences when the piece is complete? recital, just for your self? piano studio class? masterclass or festival?

i tend to pretty much reply the same to most of these, first, decide which work you connect with the most emotionally, which one gives you a visceral response, which one really gets under your skin and you can't (and don't mind) taht it is stuck in your head, in your everythign.

first decide that. then consider your ability to play the work to a satifactory level (to you and your teacher, really those opinions count the most for the most part).

then see if those are exclusive of each other, more than likely they agree and you've found your piece.

are those three the only options are you open to more?

i only ask becuase just yesterday someone was inquiring about the scriabin (which i'm working on and trust me make sure you absolutely love it, i do , but even still i am finding 4.5 months into it i need to let it sit for a couple days every now and then)...i digresss.

if you like the scriabin i think you'll think this is quite pretty too, doesn't have as much pathos per say but still sings with plenty of emotion.
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=45981.0

there's many others out there worth exploring too....

also consider that what you wish to improve abut your technique, sometimes, many times actually, the 'harder' etude is the right one to pick, we are after all trying to improve a specific technical aspect of our aproach to the keybaord with these things after all...just a though to two, or more...

[werq34ac]

Really? That's my favorite Rach etude. Though the Scriabin is pretty awesome too. I've just heard La Campanella too many times..

[akthe47]

Really? That's my favorite Rach etude. Though the Scriabin is pretty awesome too. I've just heard La Campanella too many times..

Many times here, too-- but even more importantly, most people are not impressed by speed.

Piano is not how fast you hit keys with accuracy-- it's conveying a message.  If you want to impress a crowd, touch their souls.  It's much more than a visual thing... if you can make someone feel something through your music, THAT is the magic.  It's the same thing marketing/sales attempt to do. 

You don't have to take my word for it.  Just ask people who listen to music.

[danhuyle]

Many times here, too-- but even more importantly, most people are not impressed by speed.

Piano is not how fast you hit keys with accuracy-- it's conveying a message.  If you want to impress a crowd, touch their souls.  It's much more than a visual thing... if you can make someone feel something through your music, THAT is the magic. 

The speed determines if you're playing the piece right or wrong. Look at people who play Liszt Feux Follets, everyone plays it in less than 4:03. If you play over that, you're wrong.

Anyway back to the topic.

Scriabin Etude Op8 No12 is technically easier than La Campanella. They're both great pieces and I say learn both. Besides, I had those 2 memorized way before I came to a teacher. La Campanella I had trilling difficulties and the triplet variation of the G# minor theme so that's where I got help. Scriabin, I had rhythm problems and now it's not so much of an issue anymore.

I haven't played any Rachmaninoff so I have no say in that. If your teacher will teach Rachmaninoff then I'd definitely pick that over Scriabin and Liszt.

[akthe47]

The speed determines if you're playing the piece right or wrong. Look at people who play Liszt Feux Follets, everyone plays it in less than 4:03. If you play over that, you're wrong.
..

Playing the piece 'right' or 'wrong', if such a thing exists, is a means, not the ends.

I just hope 'how fast I can play the piece' does not factor into choosing a piece to impress a crowd.  It doesn't.  It might impress yourself, but that's about it.

[pytheamateur]

Thanks everyone for your responses.  Just had my lesson today and I have decided that I will learn the Rachmaninov Etude.

Having started learning the notes, I could feel that this is a piece that I will grow to like more with time, so hopefully this will work out.  I don't really believe in love at first sight anyway.

[pytheamateur]

what are your performance options or preferences when the piece is complete? recital, just for your self? piano studio class? masterclass or festival?

It's mainly for myself.  I might also play them to friends and family.  There might also be a amateur recital in the future organised by my teacher and his colleague, but nothing has been confirmed yet.