PlayPiano

Romantic · etude

Transcendental Étude No. 10 in F minor, S. 139/10

Franz Liszt · Level 10, estimated · With Maestro

Practise it in PlayPiano

The short answer

Transcendental Étude No. 10 in F minor, S. 139/10 is an etude by Franz Liszt from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 10, an estimate.

On this page
  • etude
  • Romantic
  • Key of F minor
  • stormy

Also known as Liszt Transcendental Etude No. 10 in F Minor Appassionata.

History

The tenth of Liszt's twelve Transcendental Études is an F-minor concert study marked Allegro agitato molto. Liszt's 1851 S. 139 set revises his earlier Grandes études, S. 137, so the catalogue number identifies the version family rather than just the tune.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Small interleaved cells grow wider

    Short opening cells interleave above lower movement and expand toward upper octave responses. Hear the larger growth across the compact gestures.

  2. Moving exchanges meet marked chords

    Gathering interleaved motion alternates with marked chordal responses. Listen for their contrast in density and length.

  3. Octaves ride a continuous lower stream

    Upper octave continuation sounds above uninterrupted lower sixteenths. Hear the two layers distinctly rather than letting the broad upper sound hide the moving foundation.

  4. Stretta drives toward held chords

    The closing drive leads into a more chordal response and fermata finish. Hear the change from concentrated movement to the final sustained arrival.

How to practise it

Keep the fast chord groups light and their descending contour clear.

  1. Practise one small group of chord positions after its rest at a comfortable tempo.
  2. Practise adjacent chord shapes slowly, then connect two groups with relaxed releases.
  3. Connect the examined gestures slowly while keeping the stated layers distinct.

How hard is it

Level 10, estimated

Intense rapid figuration, large gestures and sustained climaxes require exceptional control and endurance.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Franz Liszt, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
The study studio
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Franz Liszt

  1. Consolation No. 1, S. 172Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Liebesträume No. 3, S. 541Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Keep the fast chord groups light and their descending contour clear.

Practise it in PlayPiano