How difficult is La Campanella, really?

[jbmajor]

This is the best classical piano piece I've heard so far, by far.  I know it is out of my reach right now, but this is what I want to work up to.

[donjuan]

you need crazy technique to do it right. You have huge right hand leaps, repeated notes and chromatic madness. 

[mh88]

your right hand needs to be incredibly stong....yet loose and quick at the same time....the reach in the right hand can be best described as a ginormous leap over what seems like half the keyboard

[jcromp78]

It takes agility and strength. You are quite worn out after it is all said and done. Have you looked at the music yet?

[Pierre_Bezuhov]

https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/special/right_video.htms?ID=yundili-liszt&MOVIE=rtsp%3A%2F%2Fra.universal-music-group.com%2Fdgg%2FyundiLi-liszt-W-COVER.rm

Try watching this. Its Yundi Li and he is 22. Im jealous.

[Goldberg]

As long as you're talking about the popular Paganini Etude by Liszt (from the better-known 2nd edition of the etudes), it isn't really as hard as everyone seems to believe. The technique falls together more quickly than you might think, and I've never played an easier-to-memorise piece before (it's all pretty much the same thing). So, within a few weeks of steady practice, most people with a few years behind them could pull of a decent, acceptable performance of it.

HOWEVER, it DOES take a real master to get "into" the piece and play it with frightening ability that will thrill everyone in the crowd, including the old "geeze-club" professors. I'm usually not one to go on a whining spree about "musical difficulties" being much more important than "technical difficulties," but in this particular instance I think it's quite important to point that out. Listen, perhaps, the Marc-Andre Hamelin to hear an *almost* perfect (as far as sticking to the text, anyway) rendition of the piece, and then try to emulate his control of dynamics and smoothness of fingerwork, etc.. Or listen to Cziffra and try and match him for speed and electrifying spontaneity. Daniel Pollack has one of the greatest (imo) recordings of the Busoni transcription, which isn't much different from the original, and although he misses a couple of notes towards the end, his magnetic pull is jaw-dropping. It was actually the first recording I heard of the piece--in a video actually--and I played it over and over again for several weeks before I learned it on my own. The point is, as a great virtuoso, Pollack was able to really achieve the maximum effect of the piece to make it absolutely "performable." But that's also what's expected of him, as a lifelong pianist.

There are several different ways to interpret the piece, from the relaxed and controlled to the extemporaneous and flashy. Whichever style you choose, you should really work to master it if you wish to gain respect with teachers and pianist-critics.

However, if you're like me and just want to play a cool-sounding piece for some friends/family/whatever just for fun, and complete "mastery" isn't your priority, the technique comes naturally within a couple weeks of going for it. Most Liszt is like that. Just remember to keep everything relaxed and you'll be fine.

[maxy]

Friedman plays it quite well also...

[Brian Healey]

That Yundi Li video is pretty funny. What's up with his ridiculous flourishs? Also, since when do classical artists have MTV style videos?

Li is no doubt a very high-caliber pianist, but the over-the-top drama of the video (especially the "unspoken romance" with the girl in the other apartment) was kinda comical to me. I don't know what the purpose of the video was, but I say forget the "plot" and just show the guy playing the piece.

Although with that said, musically it was pretty freakin good. I liked his rendition. 22 years old......that's pretty crazy. Thanks for the link.

[Brian Healey]

Oh yeah, I also wanted to say that I've never actually played La Campanella, but I had a conversation about it with one of my teachers years ago. He said pretty much the same thing as Goldberg. It's still a hard piece, don't fool yourself, but it's apparently easier than it looks. The ultimate challenge is playing it with absolute clarity and musicianship (not making it sound "forced", or like an exercise).

[Floristan]

Try watching this. Its Yundi Li and he is 22. Im jealous.

Oh, well that's just amazing!

I like the flourishes with Liszt; they're appropirate with this sort of bravura playing.  The MTV video quality is corny but cute...she's attracted by aggressive pianism rather than, say, aggressive stock car racing...that's OK by me  .

[liszmaninopin]

This is the best classical piano piece I've heard so far, by far.  I know it is out of my reach right now, but this is what I want to work up to

The best classical piano piece you've heard?!  How much have you heard?

About the difficulty, though.  It is certainly challenging, but by no means unplayable.  Once you master the jumps and chromatic runs, it should fall together.  I really don't think it's as hard as his transcendentals.  What other pieces have you played?

[donjuan]

This is the best classical piano piece I've heard so far, by far.  I know it is out of my reach right now, but this is what I want to work up to

The best classical piano piece you've heard?!  How much have you heard?

I have to agree.. It's more of a glittering showpiece and tends to lack any strong emotional message or storyline.  And technically, it's not considered "classical", but "romantic".  If you want to talk about classical music, we should maybe start with Mozart and Haydn..

I think Schubert is the link between the classical and romantic period.

donjuan

[jbmajor]

This is the best classical piano piece I've heard so far, by far.  I know it is out of my reach right now, but this is what I want to work up to

The best classical piano piece you've heard?!  How much have you heard?

About the difficulty, though.  It is certainly challenging, but by no means unplayable.  Once you master the jumps and chromatic runs, it should fall together.  I really don't think it's as hard as his transcendentals.  What other pieces have you played?

I've only been playing less than a year, but am looking for something more for solo piano than what I've been playing (Billy Joel, Elton John), so I'm starting to learn Rach's prelude in C#minor right now.  I've known how to read music half my life(I'm 25) so I'm not really starting from scratch.  I don't know how long it's "supposed" to take to acquire enough skill to play anything classical, but I figure if I learned my first Billy Joel song within a month of starting, then I should be able to start on classical after a year.

I have only recently become increasingly interested in classical, so I haven't heard a whole lot.  Mainly Chopin's etudes, some nocturnes(favorite-Op9 no.2), Rach's preludes(favorites are op23, no.5 in Gm; op3. no2 inC#m; and op32. no10 in Bm), Beethoven's more well know sonatas(Appassionata is terrific, as well as the 3rd movement of Moonlight), and a little bit of Liszt.  But what drew me to La Campanella was that there is so much happening in it, it's never boring; and the ending gives me chills. 
So that is why I want to work up to that piece, no matter how long it takes.

If you can point me in the direction to anything that's even better than La Campanella, please go right ahead!

[Spatula]

I don't know how long it's "supposed" to take to acquire enough skill to play anything classical

Have a look here at some very well written beginner pieces for Classical.  They're quick,easy, and can be mastered in a few short days or weeks depending on your skill.  Don't underestimate what these small guys can teach you.  They certainly helped me A LOT! 

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5112.0.html

[Brian Healey]

And technically, it's not considered "classical", but "romantic". 

You're right, but I think he meant classical in the very general sort of way, where all so-called "serious" music gets lumped into the "classical" genre.

Am I understanding correctly here? This person has been playing piano for about a year and is already thinking about tackling La Camp? Now that's what I call setting goals. You go get 'em tiger!!!!!

[jbmajor]

I don't know how long it's "supposed" to take to acquire enough skill to play anything classical

Have a look here at some very well written beginner pieces for Classical.  They're quick,easy, and can be mastered in a few short days or weeks depending on your skill.  Don't underestimate what these small guys can teach you.  They certainly helped me A LOT! 

https://pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,5112.0.html

Thanks a bunch  I'll for sure look at these.

[jbmajor]

And technically, it's not considered "classical", but "romantic". 

You're right, but I think he meant classical in the very general sort of way, where all so-called "serious" music gets lumped into the "classical" genre.

Am I understanding correctly here? This person has been playing piano for about a year and is already thinking about tackling La Camp? Now that's what I call setting goals. You go get 'em tiger!!!!!

hehe, not quite yet, lol.  What I could do with more time on my hands....


Spatula, do you know of where I could find recordings of some of those pieces you linked to?  I have a subscription to www.naxos.com, but couldn't find many of them(they need a search engine ) 

Thanks.

[Goldberg]

If you can point me in the direction to anything that's even better than La Campanella, please go right ahead!

First, I must agree the La Campanella is an awesome piece and most pianists enjoy it a lot, especially if they're only a couple years into playing "Classical" music. It is definitely one of the best-received showpieces in the piano literature and is an excellent ending for most recitals (well, perhaps a "reserved" piece if an encore would seem appropriate). Still, while it is in the upper-echelon of showpieces, there are plenty of "better" pieces from a musical and--some will say--a technical standpoint. It is *almost* a stretch to even refer to this one as Liszt's own because the original La Campanella was composed by Niccolo Paganini as a violin concerto (if you haven't already, be sure to check it out!). Of course, the overall structure is quite different from the concerto so Liszt deserves credit from the technical side.

Anyway, I'm getting off topic. I thought I might try and give you a list of pieces that you might also like (it probably won't be that large seeing as I can never seem to come up with pieces at the top of my head...) and if I think it's appropriate, I'll put an asterick next to the title, which signifies that the piece is a showpiece similar to La Campanella. We'll see how that system works...

Liszt: Grand Galop Chromatique*
Paganini Etudes 1, 2, 4*, 5 (really beautiful), and 6* (the theme is more famous than Campanella--ever hear of Rachmaninoff's Paganini Rhapsody?)
Transcendental Etudes (won't list specifics. Just get the whole set and you'll enjoy them. Some are more showy than others and all represent some of the best musical ideas Liszt ever came up with)
Two Concert Etudes: Gnomenreigen*, Walderschaun (that's terribly misspelled, but you'll recognise it if you see it)
Funerailles
Two Legendes
Two Ballades (especially the famous 2nd one)
Totentanz*
Both Concerti (the first being *'d)
All Hungarian Rhapsodies, but in particular 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 15, 16, 19--most are *'d and are truly enjoyable pieces
Don Juan Fantasy*
William Tell Overture*
Valse Impromptu; Valse Oubilee (there are several of them, I think, but there are two popular pieces, one of each title, that you're likely to come across)
Mephisto Waltz*
Dante Sonata

Etc. (Liszt wrote some 1,300 pieces and transcriptions, but that should get you started)

I think you might also like Alkan--try his op. 39 etudes (All of them are superb, particularly in a Lisztian mindset), Trois Morceaux dans le Genre Pathetique, op. 35...well you'll get the idea.

And also the excellent selection of music from Chopin. Again, if you're looking for exciting "masculine" music you might try the Polonaises, Sonatas, Concerti, Variations, Allegro De Concert, Rondos, and Etudes (not as flashy as Liszt's or Alkan's but more concentrated and, some may argue, musical). You may also like Rachmaninoff, and his output speaks for itself (everyone knows of the concerti, sonatas, etude-tableaux, and preludes).

For the Liszt, my recommendation (and favourite pianist) is Cziffra (I know, I know, Cziffra fans are being boiled alive in oil these days...but what can I say)--his Chopin is also great, despite his limited work in Chopin's compositions (that is, he didn't record much of Chopin's music). There are plenty of others to choose for Liszt, though...for Alkan, Hamelin is the obvious "chosen" artist of the day, but don't overlook the masters like Smith, Lewenthal, and Latimer (to name a few) as well. Rachmaninoff, like Liszt and Chopin, has a huge following today, but one of the best "starter" CD packages out there is from Ashkenazy (it's not the best playing, but it includes a good deal of Rach's "big" pieces and is not too expensive).

The list continues from there. You'll want to branch out to "real" classical music (that is, music actually written in the "classical" age as opposed to romantic) eventually, for there you'll find some of the greatest *music* ever composed...Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Clementi, blah blah blah. Same thing goes for the Baroque, with Bach, Couperin, and Scarlatti being the most popular composers of the era.

I hope that helps a bit. One can't really compare all of those pieces to La Campanella, but perhaps that's not really the point.

[liszmaninopin]

La Campanella is a fun encore piece-actually, alot of Liszt is good for that.  For Liszt etudes, I would specifically suggest that you check out Un Sospiro, Gnomenreigen, and his Transcendental etudes Mazeppa and Wilde Jagd.

Truthfully, though, the piano repertoire is so vast, I find it hard to answer this question well.

I could tell you dozens of pieces that I personally like more than La Campanella, but what pieces one likes is a very personal thing.  If you wish to expand your familiarity with the piano repertoire, I'd suggest that you visit a library in your area, and rent some discs of piano works by any of the major composers.  Just listen for a while, and you're bound to find pieces you enjoy.  Play what you love!

However, it sounds like La Camp would be quite a challenge for you.  Practice your chromatic scales, octave technique, and jumps.  Those are probably the main difficulties of the piece IMO, so work invested there will be will spent.

[donjuan]

Actually, I think great training for you if you want to take on La Campanella would be Grand Galop Chromatique (hehe listen to Cziffra play it wwhheee..) or Paganini Etude No.5 "La Chasse".  The reason for these selections are because you need light touch and even touch for La Chasse and you need to learn to control adrenaline in Grand Galop Chromatique.  Seriously, this piece gives me such a rush I ended up losing control and the whole thing collapsed.  I dont play it anymore because I am going to hurt myself..
donjuan 

[jbmajor]

Sounds great, I'll check out more of Liszt's stuff, I'm sure there's plenty else I'd like.

Thanks everyone.

[pa1nc1083]

Rush E is harder than La Campanella according to Sheet Music Boss.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

Rush E is harder than La Campanella according to Sheet Music Boss.

lmao a few things.
1: That piece is a meme and has no merit.
2: He's actually wrong  .
3: NEEECROOOOPOOOOOOOSSTT
4: What does this add to the discussion?
5: Do we really care about a performative synthesia youtuber who can't even play his own pieces?
That's all.

[ravelfan07]

This is the best classical piano piece I've heard so far, by far.  I know it is out of my reach right now, but this is what I want to work up to.

Alright so I’m gonna get a lot of flack for this, La Campanella is hard with a doubt in my mind, but it isn’t completely wild
Liszt wrote made other, far harder pieces (Ode to joy transcription, Don Juan, Norma, Lucretia Borgia, Berlioz symphony transcription)
La Campanella is just very showy and much more assessable compared to other pieces
If you were to include every piano piece ever into a list of difficulty, I’d give it a 7/10 (1 being hot cross buns, 10 being Concord Sonata)

[liszt-and-the-galops]

8/10 for me. lmao hardest piano piece is sorabji's symphonic variations for piano. The thing is 9 hours of extreme technical complexity.

[ravelfan07]

8/10 for me. lmao hardest piano piece is sorabji's symphonic variations for piano. The thing is 9 hours of extreme technical complexity.

Never heard of that one, definitely gotta look it up