Liebestraum No. 3 left hand stretches

[davidjosepha]

In the first two pages of Liebestraum, the left hand has to stretch a very long distance and I can't reach it. I can reach a tenth, yet there is one left hand chord that requires you to reach a twelfth. I would arpeggiate it, but Liszt only has certain chords marked this way, and this is not one of them, so I feel bad violating his intentions (plus, I'm not a huge fan of the sound in this case). I could easily play the top note with my right hand instead of my left, yet it is written on the bottom staff and so, again, I feel guilty doing this. It seems, based on how the melody is transferred between the two hands, that Liszt actually intended it this way, and yet, wouldn't it be easier for me to just use my right hand? This whole discussion is probably hard for anyone who hasn't played it or looked at the sheet music to understand, so the sheet music is available on IMSLP if you need to look. Thanks!

[davidjosepha]

I'm thinking specifically of measures 13 & 15 (when talking about the melody moving to the left hand and maybe continuing to use my right hand instead) and 16, 20, 21 & 22 (when talking about the right hand playing part of the low left hand chords). Thanks

[marklang]

I played this work last year, and I have to tell you, it's a beautiful music, don't give up because of this problem. I can reach a tenth too.
So:
in measure 13 to 14, (the note A flat) and 15 to 16 ( note C), I play both with right hand.

In 16th measure, I played the notes C-G arpeggiated, and I think it's the only (and better ) solution. if you listen some interpretations on youtube, several pianists do it arpeggiated.

about 20 , 21 and 22, I arpeggiate all the left hand chords, except the first chord in 21 and the first chord in 22 (E flat - G). I played the G note with my right hand. It was the best solution for me.

Don't forget , when you play some passages with both hands, melody line must continues, the sound of melody can't die. The sound of each note is very important, particulary in this music.

Hope I have helped

(and sorry for my English)

[davidjosepha]

Your English is just fine! And thanks for the help. I was pretty sure I'd be all right doing the melody with my right hand when it was written for the left, but was more skeptical about playing the left hand chords with my right hand. I'm glad to get confirmation on both those things. The only reason I was curious is because Liszt writes arpeggios for some chords but not others (the ones that I don't know anyone who could play correctly with one hand). I'll do as you suggest and talk to my teacher at my next lesson to see if he has any input, but I'm guessing he'll probably say the same thing you say.

Thanks again,

David

[marklang]

You're welcome 

[chadbrochill17]

I'm curious as to why you feel guilty playing the top of the chord with your right hand? I mean it's either that or roll the chord if you can't reach it. Also, very few people can comfortably reach a twelfth so I wouldn't be hard on yourself for "cheating".

[j_menz]

How is using the right hand cheating?   

There is no rule which says that notes on the bottom staff are only to be played with the left hand and notes on the top staff are to be played with the right hand. Indeed, quite a lot of the repertoire would be completely impossible were this the case.

Use your common sense and allow that Liszt (or whoever else) has credited you with knowing what to do here without spelling it out.

[chadbrochill17]

How is using the right hand cheating?   

There is no rule which says that notes on the bottom staff are only to be played with the left hand and notes on the top staff are to be played with the right hand. Indeed, quite a lot of the repertoire would be completely impossible were this the case.

Use your common sense and allow that Liszt (or whoever else) has credited you with knowing what to do here without spelling it out.

I think a good example is Chopin's étude op 10 no 3. The bottom staff has quite a bit on it but the vast majority of it is played with the right hand.