Is difficulty level correct on this?

[richardb]

I was looking for something not too difficult by Liszt to play, and thought I might try his Etudes in 12 Exercises.  But here http://www.pianostreet.com/liszt-sheet-music/etude-in-12-exercises/ I saw the difficulty level listed as 8+.  Is this correct?

Richard B

[georgey]

I was looking for something not too difficult by Liszt to play, and thought I might try his Etudes in 12 Exercises.  But here http://www.pianostreet.com/liszt-sheet-music/etude-in-12-exercises/ I saw the difficulty level listed as 8+.  Is this correct?

Richard B

Looks correct to me.  Example Bach P&F #1 WTC book 1 is level 8. I'm not sure you will get an answer from staff.  There is a discussion on difficulty levels in this "The PF website" that was last discussed on 12/10/14.

[richardb]

Georgy, thanks for the response. 

Here http://www.pianostreet.com/Graded_Pieces_All.xls it says that Liszt Etude Op.1 No.4  is grade 5. 

Even on the link I provided in my original post it says these Etudes in 12 Exercises are "quite a bit easier" than the Transcendental Etudes.  I suppose when you get above grade 8, there is no "easier 8+" and "harder 8+". 

[georgey]

Georgy, thanks for the response.  

Here http://www.pianostreet.com/Graded_Pieces_All.xls it says that Liszt Etude Op.1 No.4  is grade 5.  

Even on the link I provided in my original post it says these Etudes in 12 Exercises are "quite a bit easier" than the Transcendental Etudes.  I suppose when you get above grade 8, there is no "easier 8+" and "harder 8+".  

My impression is that the grading scale is meant for a less experienced player to help them progress from level 1 to level 2, etc. up to level 8.   Once you reach a more experienced level , you are left to find some other method to differentiate an easy 8+ from a difficult 8+.

[marijn1999]

Indeed,

The ratings on pianostreet are very limited (imo). After grade 8 it just goes straight to 8+ which would covers, for example, the immense gap between Beethoven's first and last sonata, which, technically, lie so far apart.

But to come back to this particular cycle of etudes, I still think these earlier versions of the Transcendental Studies (earlier ones are S. 136 right?) are comparable, as far as technical difficulty is concerned, with pieces like his Two Concert Etudes (Waldesrauschen and Gnomenreigen) or "Les jeux  d'eaux à la Villa d'Este" from the third Années de Pelerinages. He wrote pieces which are yet much more easier than these.

Here is a list I suggest you take a look at. I played most of them so it's only my opinion of course, but it might help you:

 - Liebesträume (Three Notturnos)
 - Sposalizio and the Three Petrarch Sonnets (Années de Pelerinages: Italie)
 - Invocation (Harmonies poétiques et religieuses
 - Four Valses oubliées
 - Transcription of "Spinning Song" from Flying Dutchman (by Wagner, but famous transcription)

Once again, these are my experiences and it might be very different for you. Also, keep in mind, if you really want to learn a piece, you always can.

Hope this helps!

BW,
Marijn