PlayPiano
The short answer
Grande étude de Paganini No. 6 in A minor, S. 141 is an etude by Franz Liszt from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 10, an estimate.
- etude
- Romantic
- grand
Also known as Franz Liszt: Grandes études de Paganini No. 6 in A minor.
History
Liszt turned Paganini's famous 24th violin caprice into a piano study built from variations. The Grandes études de Paganini are the 1851 revision of an earlier, harder set, S. 140. No. 6 is the A-minor finale of the six-piece S. 141 collection, dedicated to Clara Schumann; its changing textures let a pianist hear one theme repeatedly transformed rather than six unrelated tunes.
Sources
What to listen for
A broad chord receives a quick answer
The opening arpeggiated chord leaves space before a short upper figure. Compare the related response at a different pitch while the lower part remains silent after its chord.
How to practise it
Contrast the opening short chord with its lighter single-note figure.
- Practise the chord's clean release and the following rest before its small figure.
- Practise the lower chord and its release alone, then keep that silence while adding the upper line.
- Connect the examined gestures slowly while keeping the stated layers distinct.
How hard is it
Virtuoso variations demand changing techniques, precise coordination and endurance while retaining the theme's direction.
About this piece
- Collection
- The study studio
- Licence
- CC0
- Source
- musescore.com
More by Franz Liszt
- Consolation No. 1, S. 172Level 4, estimatedWith Maestro
- Liebesträume No. 3, S. 541Level 9, estimatedWith Maestro
- Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro
