How difficult would you consider Ligeti's Musica Ricercata?

[virtuoso80]

#1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIs3jechQ_E

...I'm sure you can find links to the other 10 from there.

I recently discovered these pieces, and I've been giving them to my students to work on. For older students who have understanding, but not great note-reading yet, I find them very useful for teaching a variety of techniques. Some are harder than others, but generally they all stem from simple concepts.

But can we really call them 'easy'? Like much modern music, it assumes a certain mastery of dynamics, articulation, hand independence, and the like. As such, what 'level' would you consider these pieces?

[j_menz]

To play, or to listen through? 

[outin]

To play, or to listen through? 

Actually once I got started I couldn't stop...think I'll buy the score, I want to see my teachers reaction

[pianist1976]

I bought the score one month ago. Maybe they aren't beginners pieces but I think they are relatively affordable, nothing to do regarding to difficulty to the etudes. Great music, by the way

[virtuoso80]

Actually once I got started I couldn't stop...think I'll buy the score, I want to see my teachers reaction

Actually, I found an old post on this site with a link to a Russian page with free download of this piece, the Etudes, and a piece for harpsichord called Hungarian Rock which is hilarious and worth a listen as well. Here the post: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=5338.0

And here's Hungarian Rock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdzvk1BJOBQ

To play, or to listen through? 

Yeah, I think the parents of some of my students might kill me. 

[outin]

Actually, I found an old post on this site with a link to a Russian page with free download of this piece, the Etudes, and a piece for harpsichord called Hungarian Rock which is hilarious and worth a listen as well. Here the post: https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=5338.0

Thanks for the link...not a very good scan though...

And here's Hungarian Rock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdzvk1BJOBQ

I don't think I want to listen anything with a title like that   

[virtuoso80]

I don't think I want to listen anything with a title like that   

Hmm, you could at least spend 30 seconds listening to the beginning before dismissing it, instead of judging on a title. 

I'm not immune to snobbery and pre-judgement myself, but come on.

[outin]

Hmm, you could at least spend 30 seconds listening to the beginning before dismissing it, instead of judging on a title. 

I'm not immune to snobbery and pre-judgement myself, but come on.

Oh, it's not about snobbery...for me the words rock and piano just do not go together...I want my rock with electric guitars and drums...and I simply cannot stand 50's rock'n'roll in any form...

But I did spend about 20 seconds hoping maybe the title refers to another kind of rock...but no, I did not find it entertaining at all 

[virtuoso80]

Oh, it's not about snobbery...for me the words rock and piano just do not go together...I want my rock with electric guitars and drums...and I simply cannot stand 50's rock'n'roll in any form...

But I did spend about 20 seconds hoping maybe the title refers to another kind of rock...but no, I did not find it entertaining at all 

Fair enough. Although as one youtube commenter noticed, it does have a bit of a Frank Zappa vibe.