[Lower Difficulty] Recommended Piano Pieces by Franz Liszt [Intermediate]
Franz Liszt is one of the quintessential pianist-composers of the 19th century, and he’s also known for his virtuosic style influenced by Niccolò Paganini.
Signature works such as La Campanella—an arrangement based on the theme from Paganini’s Violin Concerto—and the Hungarian Rhapsody No.
2 demand advanced technique, and even the famously “easier” Liebesträume No.
3 is actually an advanced piece when you sit down to play it.
Even so, for intermediate players who still want to try their hand at Liszt, this article gathers pieces— including some lesser-known works—researched for relatively lower difficulty within Liszt’s output.
A must-check for anyone looking to level up as a pianist!
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[Low difficulty] Recommended Piano Pieces by Franz Liszt [Intermediate] (1–10)
Consolation No. 5Franz Liszt
Unlike virtuosic études that demand advanced technique, the piano collection Consolation consists of pieces at a relatively easy level.
The fifth piece is a very beautiful work in which a bright, gentle melody—evoking a sense of hope—is layered over a calm left-hand accompaniment.
It’s easy to read and not particularly difficult technically, but the top melodic line tends to be drowned out by the other notes that create the accompaniment and harmony.
Be sure to identify clearly where the melody lies, and try to bring it out resonantly as you play.
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 5, “Heroic Elegy,” S.244/5 in E minorFranz Liszt
Hungarian Rhapsody No.
5 in E minor, S.244/5, “Héroïde-élégiaque,” was created by Franz Liszt in 1847.
The piece is influenced by Hungarian folk music and Romani music.
Characterized by a melancholy, lingering melody, it is structured to evoke the tale of a tragic hero.
Comprised of three sections where sorrow and hope intersect, it demands deep emotional expression while being relatively modest in technical difficulty.
It is an ideal choice for those looking to enhance expressive piano playing or to take on a work by Liszt.
Consolation No. 2Franz Liszt
No.
2 from the piano collection Consolation, which is comprised of pieces with gentle, expansive melodies, is a work in which the theme reappears in various guises—creating variety while maintaining unity and a refined atmosphere.
It begins with the melody in the right hand and accompaniment in the left, then shifts to a texture where the melody is passed between the hands, and finally comes to a quiet close with a series of chorale-like chords.
With relatively few notes and a familiar, approachable melody, it may be an accessible choice even for those taking on Franz Liszt’s music for the first time.
[Easier Difficulty] Recommended Piano Pieces by Franz Liszt [Intermediate] (11–20)
Dark clouds S.199 R.78Franz Liszt
Dark Clouds, S.199 R.78, with its strikingly modern harmonic sonorities, is a late work by Franz Liszt.
If you come to it with the image of Liszt formed by dramatic pieces like La Campanella or romantic ones like Liebesträume No.
3, you might even find it hard to believe it’s by the same composer.
In this piece, Liszt is said to have deliberately made experimental use of enigmatic chords and dissonances.
If you’d like to take on not only the famous masterpieces but also lesser-known works that convey Liszt’s deep commitment to composition, why not try performing this one?
At Richard Wagner’s GraveFranz Liszt
This exquisite miniature was composed by the 19th-century master Franz Liszt in mourning for the death of his close friend Richard Wagner.
Written in 1883, the piece is a brief work of about two minutes and thirty seconds, yet it is imbued with deep friendship and reverence.
Composed for solo piano, it showcases the emotional depth and delicate expressiveness so characteristic of Liszt.
Its serene melody, suffused with Liszt’s feelings for Wagner, is sure to resonate with listeners.
It is a highly recommended piece not only for piano students but also for those looking to become acquainted with classical music.
Consolation No. 4Franz Liszt
Consolation No.
4 is imbued with a beauty that feels as if it purifies everything in the world.
It’s a chorale-like piece built on successive chords, with a somber minor-key section in the middle, yet it comes to a gentle close.
People often assume that faster, more note-dense pieces are harder, but playing chords beautifully is just as challenging.
In addition to aligning the vertical lines between left and right hands, it’s crucial to consider which notes within the chord carry the weight and should sing.
Listen closely to the sound of your piano and weave a beautiful melody through the chords.
Years of Pilgrimage, Third Year, No. 1: Angelus! Prayer to the Guardian AngelsFranz Liszt
We present a late work by Franz Liszt.
Born in 1811 in Hungary, Liszt was an outstanding musician renowned for his transcendental piano technique.
This piece, begun in 1877, is imbued with a religious character.
Amid its serene atmosphere, one senses Liszt’s inward exploration.
The opening, with its ambiguous tonality, leaves a striking impression and creates an enigmatic mood.
Dedicated to Liszt’s granddaughter, the work expresses a longing for religious peace.
It is recommended both for those wishing to develop their pianistic technique and for listeners seeking to experience the spiritual depth of Liszt’s music.