Originally posted by dnephi:
I disagree with the first statement. Not really that clear across the board. Now, originals?
1826? They're pretty ridiculously easy. They are like Cramer and Czerny etudes and are not distinguished.

1838? He wrote 6 transcendent paganini studies and 12 Grandes Etudes, titled after Chopin. They are exceptionally difficult and make enormous demands on the performer. Example for 5 might be that there are a lot more double notes. Illustrative is that at the place where you normally place 5-4-3 descending quickly was written in 1838 as chords played that rapidly. The textures are much thicker and not really handled as well as the later edition.
1840 and 1848 saw intermediate publications of the Mazeppa. They were modified to fit the programmatic interpretation he had chosen. This change was rather perfunctory.

Finally, in 1851, in Weimar, Liszt revised both sets of Paganini and Grandes Etudes, switching titles into 12 Etudes D'execution Transcendantes and 6 Grades Etudes d'Apres Paganini.
The understanding of the sonority of the piano and that fewer notes could lead to greater virtuosic heights made this final version more effective. In these editions, he made changes from changing registers, thinning textures, adding contrapuntal lines, modifying form, and improving harmony and melodic flow. Particularly the Mazeppa's overall scheme was made much more clear. Instead of a seemingly sporadic strophic form, it became a gradual and spectacular precipitando which goes faster and has a thinner texture at each variation. He also had some quieter variations, making for a double structure, bearing both a massive ternary structure and a strophic structure. He gave it a sense of organic unity by transforming thematic material, texture, and rhythm as independent units.

His Orchestral Tone Poem Mazeppa, in my opinion, has only a superior introduction and a fantastic transition to the octave recapitulation. I believe that the second section of the piece is of lesser value.

He also transcribed this for two pianos from the orchestral version.

All in all, there are 7 versions of the Mazeppa.

As a personal note, I find it rather difficult to believe that you would be able to really play this piece well. This requires tremendous pianism and transcendent musicianship. It is music by a great pianist for great pianists. There are far too many inferior attempts and I would discourage you from attempting it unless you have spectacular technique and the approval and support of your teacher. Vis a vis your question about 24 24 fingering, I can confirm that an extremely rapid speed is possible but requires a lot of work, time, and technique. I strongly feel that slow performances simply do not capture the spirit of the music. One cannot excuse one's self of technical difficulties by simply playing more slowly and claiming that that is simply their interpretation.

But let me temper the previous paragraph. I think that it's a great piece and I'm sure you'd enjoy playing it. Much easier and perhaps preparatory would be the Etude #2 in A Minor or #1 in C Major. [/b]

Originally posted by horatiodreamt:
I think that Liszt's "Mazeppa" etude is overblown in its writing when compared to Byron's original poem that underlies etude. For me, the poem's ending is a bit of a letdown considering the buildup in action. Byron inserts a "convenient" ending. I think Liszt went overboard with his pyrotechnics in the etude because the poem, though dramatic at first, is not melodramatic.

I greatly admire Liszt's technical accomplishments as a pianist. And I agree with American pianist Grant Johanssen years ago who said "When Liszt is good, he's very good." I think the operative word in his statement was "When". [/b]

Originally posted by horatiodreamt:
I've listened to Liszt's music for over 40 years, by many pianists in recital and in recordings. I admire his pianism. However, your conclusion seems to be based on a bias towards him that verges on "hero worship".[/b]

Originally posted by horatiodreamt:
I'm not trying to pee on anyone's idol. If I do pee, should it be more informatively?

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