Liszt's Paganini Etude No. 6

[frederic]

Hi everyone!

Recently, I am very impressed by Liszt's Paganini Etudes. But this one, No.6, when i looked at the score, seems a little bit easy (except maybe the last variation) compared to the other Etudes.

Has any of you played this?

How hard is it really?

[willcowskitz]

Hey Frederic,

I wouldn't say ANY of Paganini's pieces are easy.
Liszt wasn't the only composer who composed on his theme, though. I'd check out Brahms' and Friedman's versions if you haven't already. They both start out with the same theme as Liszt's sixth Etude, and I personally think they're unique in their own ways. Brahms is a bit hard, Friedman might be a little "softer". I suppose Liszt was the most virtuoso-oriented out of those three and his compositions are generally difficult to play.´

[trunks]

None of the 6 is easy, but No.1 (the tremolo study) is perhaps the least tricky to acquire. No.5 (la chasse) is not too bad either.  No.2, 3, 4, 6 are not easy at all by any standard. They are for those who are devoted to the music.