Grandes Etudes de Paganini

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The Grandes Etudes de Paganini is a composition in six parts by Franz Liszt, for the piano. It is among one of the most technically difficult pieces that a virtuoso can play, especially in their earlier version. These pieces frequently require very large stretches by the performer of over an eleventh, three-against-two where the performer plays three notes in one hand to two in the other, and later five against six, as well as several piano-stretching runs in major seconds, semitones, and a chord base which spans the entire piano. Many of the six pieces contain crossed hands.

The pieces are taken from themes originally composed for violin by Niccolò Paganini. Paganini himself was somewhat of a show-off, and many of the themes originally composed by Paganini were for a full string ensemble (with double stops) — considering that the piano effectively plays the part of a small string orchestra, the virtuosity of the pieces is to be expected.

[edit] Piece listing

Grandes Études de Paganini - 'Dedicated to Madame Clara Schumann'

1. Etude No. 1 in G Minor (Preludio, non troppo lento "Tremolo")
2. Etude No. 2 in E-flat Major (Andante)
3. Etude No. 3 in G-sharp Minor (La Campanella)
4. Etude No. 4 in E Major (Vivo "Arpeggio")
5. Etude No. 5 in E Major (La Chasse)
6. Etude No. 6 in A Minor (Theme and Variations)