mazeppa fingering

[goodasgould]

Does anyone know any good fingerings for the alternating thirds in Mazeppa? And, while I'm at it, any particular methods for pulling it off smoothly? thanks...

[ted]

Yes! I play that one quite often. Oh goodness, I couldn't quite remember what I do so I just played a bit of it now. I assume you mostly mean the first two variations ? I use ordinary old 2/4-3/1 in the left and 1/3-2/4 the right, except where sometimes the right hand plays a fourth, when I use 2/4-1/5. I do use the latter fingerimg (RH) often where the lower note of the third is a black note. Funnily enough I don't seem to in the left !

This suits me - mightn't be right for you of course. Hey, in the descending run of major triads in the right hand in the middle bit, do you use the fourth finger on the blacks or the fifth on everything ?

Rather than take up forum space with tedious detail, email me at verj.jones@xtra.co.nz and I'll take the time to examine what I do. I don't play very many of those studies but Mazeppa is a good workout !

Ted Jones.

[trunks]

Ted was giving the easy fingering, which I think most pianists use. I also used that fingering.

But I am now planning to re-work on it with Liszt's intended fingering 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24 . . . which looks odd and difficult, but worth the effort not only on the technical side, but musical. Liszt's fingering adds a lot power and fire to the 'galloping horse' behind Mazeppa's story.

[Xelles]

...Somebody already asked this question, and received an answer (I think  :-/), but that didn't stop SOMEONE who will remain nameless from digging up this fossil-like thread.

[Xelles]

Oh my...I was right
https://www.pianoforum.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=perf;action=display;num=1071963759

[comme_le_vent]

unlike jurassic park, i doubt very much that there will be a movie adaptation of the Hong Kong thread archaeologist extroadinaire's exploits.

[comme_le_vent]

although, peter, i have to admit that i 'DIG' you.

bwahahaha, best joke ever!

[trunks]

although, peter, i have to admit that i 'DIG' you.
bwahahaha, best joke ever!

Hm . . . antiques can be fun, hence my digging.
Antiques like Chopin, Liszt, Alkan . . .

[comme_le_vent]

alkan??

you do have some taste after all!

[trunks]

Ah, yes. Alkan. That was way back some 15 years ago . . . a time not even many piano people like you were around who ever knew in their lives that there was a chap by the name of C.V. Alkan who ever existed...

[Xelles]

Ah, yes. Alkan. That was way back some 15 years ago . . . a time not even many piano people like you were around who ever knew in their lives that there was a chap by the name of C.V. Alkan who ever existed...

That's the longest run-on sentence I've read in 17 years.

[maxy]

some people cheat?

from the score:  "it is absolutely inadmissable to facilitate the fingering here"  (weird translation) 2-4 all the way!

It is part of the fun!  

Obviously the fingering changes at the 6/8 part.

[steinwaymodeld]

please use 24,24 24 24

it was Liszt's intention.

Of course one can argue (doesn't matter how u play, as long as u can play it)

It's an etude, and if Liszt intended using that fingering, it must be a technical reason. (Just like u can use 15 all the way in Chopin Op.25 No.10)

[ramseytheii]

please use 24,24 24 24

it was Liszt's intention.

Of course one can argue (doesn't matter how u play, as long as u can play it)

It's an etude, and if Liszt intended using that fingering, it must be a technical reason. (Just like u can use 15 all the way in Chopin Op.25 No.10)

People use the easier ("wimpier") fingering in order to increase speed, but unfortunately the results are often unintelligible because they want to play it so fast.  Maybe Liszt was trying to put a "rein" on the speed?

Walter Ramsey

[dnephi]

2-4 is more powerful and gives you more time to be expressive.    (IE, that's what I've learned.  I haven't played it yet.)