Transcendental??

[pocorina]

What does Transcendental mean? I know that Liszt composed a lot of these etudes - what does the term relate to?

Remy

[pseudopianist]

www.dictionary.com

[etudes]

2 entries found for transcendental.
tran·scen·den·tal    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (trnsn-dntl)
adj.
Philosophy.
Concerned with the a priori or intuitive basis of knowledge as independent of experience.
Asserting a fundamental irrationality or supernatural element in experience.
Surpassing all others; superior.
Beyond common thought or experience; mystical or supernatural. 
 

[pbr2005]

... as in transcending (surpassing) the existing standard of execution (technique).

[Dazzer]

sure was up himself, that man...

haha.

[pianocrazy]

one gd piano website (i forgot which) said that "transcendental" does not refer in the dictionary context, but the style liszt used to mimic the sound of a orchestra on the piano.

[Dazzer]

regardless... that man was definately up himself:D

[Barbosa-piano]

one gd piano website (i forgot which) said that "transcendental" does not refer in the dictionary context, but the style liszt used to mimic the sound of a orchestra on the piano.

That is odd, that is probably what it means in Liszt's piano music, but from what I know, a transcendental piece is basically a piece that demands extreme technique and virtuosity. For example, several of Beethoven's Sonatas are considered transcendental, as Chopin's Etudes or Tausig's transcription of Schubert's Military March...

[maxy]

Liszt sounds harder than it actually is..

So the effect obtained transcends the actual level of technique required.   

Liszt re-work of the Études had that purpose. To make them easier but still more effective.

[pianote]

basically it means beyond something. ( going beyond and surpassing with prowess)