Hungarian Rhapsody no.2

Some of my family and friends are always asking me which is more difficult, the Hungarian rhapsody no .2 or the polonaise in A flat major (after hearing me playing them both and thinking im struggling i bet hahaha). I'm not really sure, id say the Rhapsody but i have been playing the polonaise for quite a while longer, what are your thoughts?

I have only learnt under a 1/2 or so of the Hungarian rhapsody so far (not brilliantly though-ive only been playing it for a few weeks though), and i was wondering if i should learn the Horowitz-Liszt version instead. Anyway THANKS!

 

It doesn't matter which is difficult, it depends on people anyway.
Some people might say Polonaise is difficult, and some might say rhapsody is more difficult.
Can you record your playing? I would love to hear it, thanks.

 

Ha, yeah id love to record my playing but i have nothing to do it with. Plus, the pianos at my house are both terribly out of tune. One day, when i have some money i will by some recording equipment, tune a piano (or both) and put some recordings up. Thanks anyway! Do you have any recordings Hunwoo, i wouldn't mind listening to some of yours either!

 

Mine is at Audition room, i posted long time ago, u might find it going over pages.... etc etc

 

In fact I just did a massive cleanup of the Audition Room. Obviously we can not keep everything, and things that did not go up the site will eventually have to go. So chances are that recording is not longer there.

 

I'm actually starting to learn it.
I got the first page down prett easily.


But keep in mind I'm only 13 years old..
8)

 

Warning! You are in danger of breaking your fingers.


Just kidding, Lang Lang played all the Chopin Etudes when he was only 13 years old.

 

Yes, keep in mind that the first half or so of the piece, until the friska section, is far more easy technically than the section which follows it. I had a break from piano for a while, mainly deterred by the length of time it was taking me to make substantial progress with this piece. It is very famous though, i think it was the theme from "Tom and Jerry", correct me if im wrong. I also find it harder to get "into" pieces by Liszt, because they dont seem to have the emotional depth of chopin, more just showpieces. Im sure im going to attract criticism for this comment. hahaha Oh well...

 

It's a lovely Rhapsody up until the last part of the Friska. When it starts to pick up the pace is when it begins to lose favor for my ears.

There are better Rhapsodies than this one, in my opinion.

 

I actually find the second half of the song to be the most popular with the audiences, though i believe the first part is more passionate. Nevertheless, the melodies in the second half are remarkable, in that they really do get stuck in your head! Indeed, from after the friska section, the piece becomes about technical prowess and showing off

 

Do you think this piece is technically more difficult than Liszt's La Campanella?
I'm just wondering.

 

I haven't played La Campanella, but since it is a study, i expect it would contain more concentrated difficulties. Though because of the length of this piece, i would say that this is more likely more difficult. Though many may have different opinions. Really i think that you may be able to finish La Campanella more quickly, if that is the technical side you are thinking of, but this is purely because of length.