Which Liszt transcription is more difficult?

[chopinrabbitthing]

Schumann/Liszt - Widmung
or
Wagner/Liszt - Liebestod (Tristan und Isolde)

Just your opinions. Which diplomas do you think they'd be suitable for (Do you think both would be suitable for LTCL exam)?

Thanks guys

[thesixthsensemusic]

My guess would be Widmung is easier. Not necessarily because it is technically easier,  but it's significantly shorter and also less complex in structure and texture, so not as difficult to develop an understanding for.

Having said that, I think both are musically advanced pieces that could fit into a conservatoire student's end of year or even graduation recital programme, as part of a diverse collection of music. OK, neither is of impossible difficulty (for example like the Rigoletto Paraphrase or 'Mazeppa') but still...

Dunno exactly what kind of diploma system you are referring to, if you want to compare it to a piece that you;d probably be able to find back in any repertoire lists as a reference I'd say the required skill is comparable to Chopin's op. 25-1, the 'Aeolian Harp' or perhaps op. 10-3 'Tristesse'. Hope this is of some use for you.

[chopinrabbitthing]

Thanks But are you sure about the diffiulty of the Wagner? I can play both Chopin etudes and it doesn't seem as easy. I've seen many kids play Rigoletto, but not the Liebestod, just asking:)

[thalbergmad]

There is a considerable jump in difficulty between the Widmung and the Tristan.

My technique is reasonably feeble, but I learned the Widmung in a week and gave up on the other.

Thal

[ahinton]

There is a considerable jump in difficulty between the Widmung and the Tristan.

My technique is reasonably feeble, but I learned the Widmung in a week and gave up on the other.

You playing SCHUMANN?! (even as transcribed by Liszt)...Mon Dieu!

Best,

Alistair

[thesixthsensemusic]

Thanks But are you sure about the diffiulty of the Wagner? I can play both Chopin etudes and it doesn't seem as easy. I've seen many kids play Rigoletto, but not the Liebestod, just asking:)

I use Henle's catalog and difficulty ranking system as a reference. Both the Chopin etudes are rated as 6/7, and Isoldes Liebestod a 7 (from 1-9). Liszt's scores always seem daunting just by the looks of them, don't let it put you off...

[thalbergmad]

You playing SCHUMANN?! (even as transcribed by Liszt)...Mon Dieu!

Some transcribers were able to extract beauty from Schumann, but it must have been a considerable effort.

Thal

[david456103]

would you guys say reminiscences from norma or reminiscences from don juan is harder? and hard are they compared to liszt's mazeppa or feux follets?

[thesixthsensemusic]

Some transcribers were able to extract beauty from Schumann, but it must have been a considerable effort.

Thal

How about Brahms' Variations on Schumann's theme then?

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Re the original question, I'd say the Liebestod is harder, but the problems within it are principally musicial, i.e. isolating the various melodic lines (and in some cases, the counter melodies), and differentiating them from the accompanimental parts. If this isn't done, it will sound a lot less intelligible/effective.

would you guys say reminiscences from norma or reminiscences from don juan is harder? and hard are they compared to liszt's mazeppa or feux follets?

Norma and Don Juan, imo about the same level i.e. very difficult! I've hacked my way through both of them and I used to think Don Juan was harder, now I probably think it's Norma (which I prefer musically), but it's a close thing. I think they are both harder than Mazeppa. Feux Follets is a special case as far as I'm concerned, with it I don't think you're comparing like against like, and so comparative difficulty is probably a matter of personal preference.

[redbaron]

How about Brahms' Variations on Schumann's theme then?

Or Schumann's Variations on a Theme of Beethoven?