2 over 3 in Liszt's Der Erlkönig

[virtuoso80]

In Liszt's piano transcription of the Schubert's Der Erlkönig (starting on page 16 here: https://petrucci.mus.auth.gr/imglnks/usimg/c/cd/IMSLP06390-Liszt_-_S558_Nos1-6_12_Lieder__peters_.pdf) there's a lot of eight note melody in the right hand, along with triplets in the same hand. How should these be played? It seems essentially impossible to play it as written, but I don't love just making it into a dotted triple rhythm either. Right now I'm partially cheating the triplet notes a little bit to do it, and I think it sounds fine that way, but I was curious to her what the 'correct' way to do it was.

[mike_lang]

You hit the nail on the head - "almost" impossible. They definitely need to be eighth notes . . . just requires a little practice.

[mrcreosote]

OK, so how are you playing those octaves fast without tension?

[mike_lang]

OK, so how are you playing those octaves fast without tension?

You have to stay moving . . . in and out on the key, up and down with the wrist over periods of several notes . . . anything you can do to avoid literal repetitive motion. Shape, group "iambically" so that everything is leading somewhere and is phrased, and once you've figured out the movement, program it into your muscle memory slowly and carefully . ..