Mephisto, Mazeppa, HR 2, La Campanella

[musicsdarkangel]

Hi, sorry, similar topics to this have been posted, but this is just bugging me.

Of course the answer to this question will be different for every pianist, but as a student, La Campanella is my first Liszt piece, and although I am near mastery, it has given me a heck of a ride.

I am in the process of learning Mephisto Waltz, and looking at the music, I think that it will be much easier for me than La Campanella. 

Anyway, I am looking at doing all of these Liszt pieces as soon as possible, and just wanted you all to rank them from least difficult (top) to most difficult (bottom).

From my point of view, I see this.........

Hungarian Rhapsody no 2
Mephisto Waltz
La Campanella
Mazeppa

[pianiststrongbad]

Mephisto Waltz
La Campanella
Hungarian Rhapsody 2

(never attempted Mezeppa, so I dunno where it goes)

[Etude]

Mephisto waltz
La Campanella
HR2
Mazeppa

[larse]

No...
I agree with

Mephisto Waltz (no 1 I presume)
Hungarian Rhapsody no 2
La Campanella
Mazeppa, but you really should'nt work on that..It's just too much 

[Radix]

I found the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 to be quite a bit harder than the Mephisto Waltz.  I've  never tried the other two.

[SteinwayTony]

In my opinion, all of the pieces you have listed are overdone.  Consequentially, the pressure on you as a performer will be enormous if you plan to use them in competitions or auditions.

My suggestion to you is, if you're dead-set on Liszt, at least pick something that's not a "war-horse."

[jsfripp]

I do agree that the HR2 is the easiest, I have played it many times myself, and find it takes only about 1hr to revise to a near concert I feel, however that La Campanella is not as hard as the Mephisto Waltz. La Campanella, for me, sits quite comfortably, as does mephisto waltz, however in order to achieve the convincing colours that one requires for the MW is far greater and much more beyond mere technique. It of course requires greater understanding of the piano and its sonoroties, with much understanding of the Faust legend to supplement the learning and performance of this work. I actually happen to be performing the MW next Thursday in concert!! I agree that Mazeppa is the hardest, technically. I struggled with the learning of it for about two months before I actually felt happy with presenting in any concert. Good luck with these pieces!! Have fun!!

[lostinidlewonder]

I play all three of these, i reckon this is the order of difficulty personally.
Mephisto Waltz (depending on which number you play, they are a lot to remember), Mazeppa, Hungarian Rhapsody, La Cap.

Mazeppa is just insane if it was as long as Mephisto it would be on the most difficult. To play Mazeppa at a good speed and expression is very tough, much harder than the other pieces. La cap is simple because of its logic, the stretches and jumps are the difficulties initially but with practice they vanish and you are left with only whats easy.