Top 3 Hardest Liszt Etudes (1837 edition)

[liszt-and-the-galops]

The 1837/8 versions of the Etudes are WAY harder than the 1851/2 versions. The question is, which is hardest?

I left out Preludio, Paysage, Ricordanza, and La Chasse because I don't think anyone is going to pick them. I also left out Paganini Etude 4a (also Arpeggio) because it is almost objectively easier than 4b.

IMO:
1: Arpeggio (Grand Etudes de Paganini 4b)
2: Wilde Jagd (Douze Grande Etudes no. 8 )
3: Mazeppa (DGE no. 4)
I'm about to get dogpiled, aren't I?

[ronde_des_sylphes]

In terms of the GEs, I think no.2 might be the hardest.

I don't feel the version of Mazeppa is completely insurmountable. No.6 is actually not too hard in my experience. 7 is doable. 8 is quite tough, as obviously is 12.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

In terms of the GEs, I think no.2 might be the hardest.

I don't feel the version of Mazeppa is completely insurmountable. No.6 is actually not too hard in my experience. 7 is doable. 8 is quite tough, as obviously is 12.

No. 2? Dang. I'd put that one 3rd or fourth among the GEs. If I hadn't included the Paganini Etudes, it probably would have made my lis(z)t too lol.

[lelle]

Hard to pick. They are in the category of "will never attempt to play" for me haha!