Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (Voicing Problem)

[aklvkk]

Hello,

I'm currently practicing Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 by Liszt, and have a trouble voicing a certain passage. It's in the Tempo guisto-vivace section, where the right hand alternates between C# and the melody (D# - B - A# - B - D# - B - F# - D# ...). The C# at the top comes out louder than I want it to be; when other pianists perform, they seem to subdue the top C# at a volume lower than the lower notes (melody). This is especially difficult considering the pp dynamic marking and the rapid pace at which the hand need to alternate between the notes.

Does anyone have a suggestion/technique they use to subdue the C# at the top and bring out the melody at the bottom (for the right hand)? I'd appreciate any input!

[chopinlover01]

This is also an issue for the famous Liszt paganini etude "La Campanella", with the melody consistently going up to a top D#. Seems Liszt loved to do that.
I like to think of going down all the time, and practicing rhythms to that. 16th note (semiquaver) to a dotted eight (dotted quaver) on the bottom.

[diomedes]

Keep your hands as close to the keys and make sure you know your notes. That's about it.

[faulty_damper]

Assuming you're using the best movements, weight the thumb.

If you aren't using the best movements, i.e. you are pivoting at or close to the elbow for the leaps, then that's the problem.  The pivot is somewhere in the center of your forearm.