Le Gibet from Gaspard de la Nuit

[ypana3]

I don't know how many people have asked about this piece, but I'm liking it and I want to play it but I'm a bit uncertain about the difficulty of it. My most difficult piece right now is moonlight sonata 3rd movement, and it wasn't all too hard, but I was wondering how Le Gibet from Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit would measure up (Henle says moonlight is 7 and le gibet is 7/8). The chords look HUGE and I know it's slow, but I'm still not sure. I know examiners will love it though, and I like it a lot so I really do want to learn this piece. People say it's more musical than technical difficulty, but looking at those chords makes me think otherwise, especially since I am going to memorize this. Any and all advice is appreciated.

[david456103]

It's challenging, but not as (technically) challenging as the rest of the Gaspard.
I think Le Gibet is quite a step up from Moonlight Sonata 3rd Mvmt., but if you really love the piece then just go for it! also i think memorization would be the least of your worries in a piece like Le Gibet

[j_menz]

People say it's more musical than technical difficulty

The people who say that don't underestimate it's technical difficulties.

[ypana3]

It's challenging, but not as (technically) challenging as the rest of the Gaspard.
I think Le Gibet is quite a step up from Moonlight Sonata 3rd Mvmt., but if you really love the piece then just go for it! also i think memorization would be the least of your worries in a piece like Le Gibet

I'm about 2 pages in, omitting the octaves to make learning easier (I will add them in later of course) and it's not too bad, but I fear the difficulty will increase. I can see why you think memorizing isn't a big deal and I did make a bit too much of a fuss about it. I'm going to perform it for a recital at school which I'm planning with my piano teacher. I'm seeing him today, so I'll ask him about it, and I'm hoping for the best.