Chopin or Listz for piano?

[Josquin des Prez]

Too bad Chopin couldn't orchestrate  ......

Yeah, a real hindrance to somebody who wrote nearly exclusively for the piano.

[Todd]

The only sensible answer is: both.  How can one live without Chopin's Ballades, say, or his Preludes, or Etudes, and, well most everything for solo piano?  (I can live without his first sonata.)  But I must ask the same question regarding Liszt's Annees de Pelerinage, and Consolations, and Harmonies poetiques et religieuses, and Transcendental Studies, and others.  When it comes to the concertos, neither really floats my boat, though Liszt's a bit better.

[not edward]

Shocking. Over a page of responses, and I'm the first to say "BANANA!"

What is GMG coming to?

[marvinbrown]

Shocking. Over a page of responses, and I'm the first to say "BANANA!"

What is GMG coming to?

  edward, who's better Chopin or Liszt is irrelevant by now.  If we can continue to generate discussion by comparing and constrasting the style, talent for orchestration etc. of Chopin and Liszt then I think this thread would have served its purpose, we might learn something new here after all- I am by no means an expert on either composer, all I know is what I hear, perhaps somebody here can shed more light on how the styles of these two piano composers differ or are similar if that is the case.

  marvin

[locrian]

I'd prefer to listen to a random Chopin piece any time, any day 

[Great Gable]

I love Liszt but Chopin is as important to me as oxygen.

[c#minor]

Well marvinbrown you are correct in your guess. Chopin, to me, is so much deeper and more inspired than Listz. Though Listz's music is a technical marvel, Chopin's music is deceivingly difficult and complex. Though his music is much more subtle than Listz's (understatement), it does not need the intensity that Listz uses to get a powerful, if not more powerful, statement across.  I think Chopin could compose like Listz if needed but i do not believe Listz could ever compose the more subtle, reflective pieces that were Chopin's "bread and butter." Agreed his orchestration was sub par.

Listz wows the crowd, Chopin moves the crowd.   

[BachQ]

Listz wows the crowd, Chopin moves the crowd.   

On numerous occasions, I have been moved by Liszt, and wowed by Chopin .........

[Saul]

Without a question. Chopin.

[Lethevich]

Easily Liszt as a personal preference. A lot of his music is very extrovertly virtuosic, but what I find most fascinating is the way he can make even these pieces  well worth hearing, and many of his flashiest pieces also have much depth. His struggle between his "job" as a concert showman, with his introvert side is fascinating, and his late pieces are entirely different from his youthful ones - him making this transition shows that he was a serious composer all along - and a relentlessly innovative one. I found that reading a good biography on him is a way into appreciating his music, he was a great man.

[c#minor]

Easily Liszt as a personal preference. A lot of his music is very extrovertly virtuosic, but what I find most fascinating is the way he can make even these pieces  well worth hearing, and many of his flashiest pieces also have much depth. His struggle between his "job" as a concert showman, with his introvert side is fascinating, and his late pieces are entirely different from his youthful ones - him making this transition shows that he was a serious composer all along - and a relentlessly innovative one. I found that reading a good biography on him is a way into appreciating his music, he was a great man.

Agreed he was a virtuoso in the fullest sense. And yes his pieces do have depth, but Chopin has the same degree of virtuosity (though not as "bombastic" and "showy.") That which separates them is Chopin's ability have such a powerful presence without having to "grab your attention" so to speak. At the same time Chopin can still "grab your attention" if he so chooses.

On numerous occasions, I have been moved by Liszt, and wowed by Chopin .........

I have also been moved by Liszt and wowed by Chopin, but even when Chopin wows me, he always moves me.

[marvinbrown]

Easily Liszt as a personal preference. A lot of his music is very extrovertly virtuosic, but what I find most fascinating is the way he can make even these pieces  well worth hearing, and many of his flashiest pieces also have much depth. His struggle between his "job" as a concert showman, with his introvert side is fascinating, and his late pieces are entirely different from his youthful ones - him making this transition shows that he was a serious composer all along - and a relentlessly innovative one. I found that reading a good biography on him is a way into appreciating his music, he was a great man.

 Yes Lethe, I am glad you drew reference to Liszt's late piano pieces- those pieces are dark, so very dark.  I can not help but get the feeling that Liszt was wallowing in despair- in brief he had given up on life- a totally different persona if you will from the man who had written, earlier in his life, those wonderful lively Hungarian Rhapsodies.


 marvin

[sidoze]

on another note, although it might have something to do with the greater number of pianists who play Chopin compared to Liszt, I've also noticed that pieces by Chopin tend to have a much greater range of interpretation than those by Liszt (excluding the Bm Sonata anyway). Anyone want to hazard a guess on this or attempt to prove me wrong (goodluck)? 

[bwv 1080]

I prefer both on harpsichord

[BachQ]

I prefer both on harpsichord

Yes ........ but I prefer the virginal ........

[bwv 1080]

Yes ........ but I prefer the virginal ........

Not for me, too messy the first time you play it

[Ten thumbs]

Why not Chopin and then Liszt?
Firstly Chopin because his Etudes became the new 'bible' for the improved instrument.
Later Liszt when he settled down from showmanship and became a serious composer (Chopin died in 1849).
Luckily Alkan remained a recluse.

[Don]

Too bad Chopin couldn't orchestrate  ......

Not so.  He wrote a few works with orchestra - that's orchestrating in my book.

[Danny]

Liszt does nothing for me.

Chopin simply because he wrote music that at least gets my interest.