Hi,

Can anynoe tell me what grading level Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A Minor" (for the solo pianist) would be consisdered at?

Also, the same for Liszt's "La Campanella".

I don't have lessons, and have not had any exams other than when I was a kid - (now 34) so I just play for my own amusement but I try to keep motivated so I like to take on decent pieces.

For example, Gnossienne no 1 is a simple piece and the moody expression I find easy to create with it, it took me a few hours to learn this piece so it didn't really fulfill my need for a meaty piece. As I understand it, this is a grade 6/7 piece..?

Anyhow, someone will be able to clarify the above pieces for me.

Ta.
Mart.

What "grade" they are will depend mostly on how well you play them...

if you like them learn them!!! If it's too difficult you'll soon find out!

If you can even consider playing La Campanella and Grieg's concerto then you no longer need to worry what "grade" any piece is considered to be appropriate for.

If you are playing entirely to please yourself you can have a go at any piece you like, and find out as you can along if it is:

- within your capabilities
- meaty enough to be satisfying

Forget this "What grade is this piece?" nonsense.

Exacto, de acuerdo!

Yes, well, to answer your question, I don't know about the Grieg but Liszt's La Campanella is on the LTCL choice of repertoire.

Go on, have a bash at it!

Mel

It's also on the LRSM repertoire list, along with the other Paganini studies.

Thanks Mel, a str8 forward answer at last!!!

I understand the "dont worry about it" answers, but I was curious to know how they were graded - I would have at least liked to have known what "official" standard they were considered at, as opposed to some "riddle" answer as above!!..

Glad I could be of help!

When you want to know something, you want to know something - not be quizzed as to to the point of the question or your motives for asking it.

Mel

Mel, I don't think 'Mad Tom' intended to quizz or delve into motives in his reply to pianoman101. There are numerous threads on this forum asking much the same question(s) concerning the grade of various pieces of music. I think MT feels (as do I and I dare say a lot of other posters on these forums) that it is not a big issue as to what grade number a piece is given. Grade 8 to TCL could so easily be considered G7 to ABRSM.

No, Roger I don't suppose he does or you do.
But the point is that pianoman101 DID want to know, and he had a right to ask a reasonable question in the hope that someone could satisfy his curiosity.
If one is of the opinion that the question has no merit then the obvious thing to do is to pass on it and leave it for those who feel moved/able to help with this matter.

I am the first to grant Mad Tom the accolade of 'most helpful poster' - just not on this particular occasion.

Mel

hehe... !!!

No disrespect but the Gnossienes are a whole lot easier than Griegs concerto or Liszts Campanella. It's quite a jump to attempt. It would be very rewarding to aquaint yourself with some of their shorter pieces, of which Grieg and Liszt wrote a great many...of varying difficulty. I'm not really into labelling everything with a Grade number either, although i can see how it gives some idea of difficulty... But in my view, not always one I'd agree with.

Yes I agree and I've looked at gnossienne no 1 and gymnopedie no 1 also and its easy technically, of course the skill is in the expression etc.. and making it believable - I find these too easy to keep motivated.

Grieg's Concerto I am doing alright with at the minute - not trying out Campanella just yet - its wlll take time as its nothing like most pieces physically but like most things, its just takes getting used to.

The Piano Concerto is not too demanding for me - but then I've only just started !

Hmmm, perhaps you're right. The poor guy (assuming pianoman101 is a he) only asked a simple question and a polemic developed.

If you are really considering playing this (an awesome version) then you really don't need to ask what grade it is!

Edward

That's great Edward, thanks for that... I do prefer Kissin's version tbh... but yes, it would take me a while to create that kind of performance.

I've actually started the Piano Concerto and as Mel pointed out, I was curious to know where its "at" in terms of official stamp, if there is one.

That's all.