Wagner/Liszt Liebestod and Busoni Sonatina Seconda

[chopinrabbitthing]

Hi all,
I was wondering how difficult these pieces are, in your opinion. Especially the Busoni piece, has anyone played it? I might play both pieces for LTCl if it's possible.

Thanks

[j_menz]

The Liszt is medium level Liszt.

The Busoni is a right pain.

Instead of the Liszt/Wagner, have you considered the Moszkowski?  Also, Tausig did a transcription of the Liebesgesang (more or less the same song, but Tristan is alive to hear it) which is well worth a look and, IMO, superior to both.

[chopinrabbitthing]

Thanks for your answer. I've heard the Moszkowski before..and I have to say, I like the Liszt much better.

What else would be considered as "medium" level Liszt. Honestly, I've never properly studied a Liszt piece (I've kinda skimmed over Gnomenreigen and some parts of La Campanella), but judging from the score it shouldn't be something that will be overwhelmingly difficult.

And what did you mean by the Busoni being a pain?

Thanks

[richard black]

The Liszt 'Liebestod' transcription is not by any means the most difficult of Liszt's opera transciptions/paraphrases. It's quite effective, though you have to give it a fair bit of input to make it work. Incidentally, little bit of Wagner trivia - I once thought it would be clever to play the Liszt version to accompany a singer (I've since made a slightly more satisfactory edition for that purpose). I went through and deleted all the notes in the transcription which are only in the singer's part and not in the orchestra. When I finished I found I had deleted 8 (eight!) notes, all in the first few bars. Go figure.

[j_menz]

Thanks for your answer. I've heard the Moszkowski before..and I have to say, I like the Liszt much better.

Then do have a look at the Tausig.  All the quality of the Liszt and more.

What else would be considered as "medium" level Liszt. Honestly, I've never properly studied a Liszt piece (I've kinda skimmed over Gnomenreigen and some parts of La Campanella), but judging from the score it shouldn't be something that will be overwhelmingly difficult.

It's Liszt. It's not, as Richard Black rightly says, the hardest Liszt by a long shot, but it is still Liszt.

And what did you mean by the Busoni being a pain?

I mean it's a whole other level up of challenge.

[chopinrabbitthing]

It's Liszt. It's not, as Richard Black rightly says, the hardest Liszt by a long shot, but it is still Liszt.
I mean it's a whole other level up of challenge.

Would it be as difficult as the Rigoletto Paraphrase?

[j_menz]

Would it be as difficult as the Rigoletto Paraphrase?

The Liebestod or the Sonatina? Either way, I have no idea - I haven't played the Rigoletto.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

The Liebestod is overall easier than the Rigoletto. The hardest thing in the Rigoletto is probably getting a grip on the alternate hand sixths cadenza, whilst the hardest thing in the Liebestod (imo) is keeping the opening page lh tremolandi quiet in relation to the melody. The Liebestod benefits significantly from care over background/foreground distinctions regarding melody and harmony.

[chopinrabbitthing]

The Liebestod or the Sonatina? Either way, I have no idea - I haven't played the Rigoletto.
[/quote

Sorry, I was talking about the Liebestod

[chopinrabbitthing]

The Liebestod is overall easier than the Rigoletto. The hardest thing in the Rigoletto is probably getting a grip on the alternate hand sixths cadenza, whilst the hardest thing in the Liebestod (imo) is keeping the opening page lh tremolandi quiet in relation to the melody. The Liebestod benefits significantly from care over background/foreground distinctions regarding melody and harmony.

Thanks but just one thing...why is Rigoletto so popular with younger players? I mean I've heard of a some 13, 14 15 y/o playing it, but not so much with the Liebestod.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I don't know, but I guess that if you have the fingers to play Rigoletto at 14, you're going to opt for something with a bit of glitter about it. The issues to solve with the Liebestod are more interpretative ones, thus less immediately impressive.