Estampes

[lisztmusicfan]

Can anyone give me a difficulty level, because I am very intrigued by this piece and would like to play it! Thx

[evitaevita]

Can anyone give me a difficulty level, because I am very intrigued by this piece and would like to play it! Thx

They are considered 8+ level pieces.

Estampes aren't easy. Especially Pagodes is the more difficult piece. On the other hand, Soirèe dans Grenade is much easier technically.
However, they are really beautiful. I would strongly recommend you to go for them if you can cope with their technical requirements.

[awesom_o]

 On the other hand, Soirèe dans Grenade is much easier technically.

Not sure I agree here; all three pieces in the suite contain numerous multifaceted technical and musical challenges. To really conjure the vivid atmosphere of an evening in Spain through the piano keyboard requires advanced creative power.

Let us not forget that Ricardo Vines, when asked what he thought was the single most quintessential piece of Spanish music in the keyboard literature, his reply was the Soirèe dans Grenade. Quite a testament to Debussy's creative power really, considering he was a Frenchman and hadn't, to my knowledge, even visited Spain at the time when he composed the work.

[evitaevita]

Not sure I agree here; all three pieces in the suite contain numerous multifaceted technical and musical challenges. To really conjure the vivid atmosphere of an evening in Spain through the piano keyboard requires advanced creative power.

I totally agree with you!
I was talking about the technical part of Soirèe dans Grenade compared to Pagodes. Also, it's certain that such issues are always subjective.

[gvans]

Can anyone give me a difficulty level, because I am very intrigued by this piece and would like to play it! Thx

If you love the piece, you'll succeed in learning it. Go for it.

A few suggestions:

Pagodes: don't be afraid to use the middle pedal to hold the bass pedal points. Keep the rhythm steady, be careful with rubato. It's hard to keep the right hand pianissimo in the coda. Try listening to some Indonesian gamelan to feed your right brain for this one.

Soiree: The habanera rhythm is key. Many of the arpeggiated chords approximate flamenco guitar...something to keep in mind.

Jardins: Hard to keep the notes clear and even. Practice the broken harmonies as chords. Don't overuse the pedal.

Good luck! It's a wonderful piece of music...

[lisztmusicfan]

I haven't replied in a while, so in that time, I found out that La Soirée is actually more difficult for me than pagodes! I got tripped up a LOT in the many odd chords and rhythms in the piece.

[draganpower]

difficulty really depends on your own skill level and how you approach the piano. I have spoken with many people who have played the whole collection in which they thought Pagodes was the most difficult with the pentatonic scale and structure of the piece (especially at the end).

However, I could not get the beat and style of the Spanish feel of the Soirèe dans Grenade and though it was technically less difficult than Pagodes I had more difficulty with that piece. I personally have very small hands and those chords in Soirèe dans Grenade is not fun to play

 I absolutely love Pagodes and definitely more my style which I feel comfortable with. One of my favourites and just recently finished learning it.

[gvans]

FYI, here's a recording of Estampes I made in my studio this year:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=50984.0