Grandes Etudes de Paganini

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The Grandes Etudes de Paganini, S.141, are a series of six etudes composed for the piano by Franz Liszt in 1851, based on Paganini compositions for violin. They are among the most technically difficult pieces that a virtuoso can play, especially in their earlier versions, Transcendental Etudes after Paganini, S.140, composed in 1838-39. 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.

Tremolo (Etude No. 1) begins with a prelude with rapid arpeggios and scales and then continues with the main etude; as the name suggests, the piece is meant to look into tremolos, where two notes go back and forth. Voicing and dynamics are important in Tremolo, and adding to its difficulty is the fact that many tremolos are marked to be played by the left hand only.

Andantino capriccioso (Etude No. 2) contains many rapid scales and octaves and looks into elegance and quality of tone.

The fourth etude is written on one line only, omitting the usual separate line for the left hand. Furthermore, its lowest tone is the g, the score thus mimicking a score for violin.

The Theme and Variations (Etude No. 6) is based on Paganini's 24th caprice and contains a slightly altered theme with 11 variations. The technically demanding work abounds with rapid octaves, scales, and arpeggios.

[edit] Piece listing

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

Etude No. 1 in G Minor (Preludio, non troppo lento "Tremolo") - After Paganini's 24 Caprices for solo violin #5, #6

Etude No. 2 in E-flat Major (Andantino capriccioso) - After Paganini's 24 Caprices for solo violin #17

Etude No. 3 in G-sharp Minor (La Campanella) - After final movement of Paganini's Violin Concerto #2 in B minor

Etude No. 4 in E Major (Vivo "Arpeggio") - After Paganini's 24 Caprices for solo violin #1

Etude No. 5 in E Major (La Chasse) - After Paganini's 24 Caprices for solo violin #9

Etude No. 6 in A Minor (Theme and Variations) - After Paganini's 24 Caprices for solo violin #24

[edit] External links

Études d'exécution transcendante d'après Paganini (first version) and Grandes Études de Paganini (second version) were available at the International Music Score Library Project.