Franz Liszt Popular Song Ranking [2026]

Grandes études de Paganini, S.141 No. 3 “La Campanella”Franz Liszt57rank/position

La Campanella - Liszt - Classical Piano - La Campanella - Liszt - Classic Piano - CANACANA

La Campanella, the third piece from Transcendental Etudes after Paganini S.141, is known as a notoriously difficult work.

A masterpiece by Franz Liszt, it is striking for its highly challenging, intricate structure and performance impact worthy of its difficulty.

One of its great attractions is the dramatic, grandiose playing that emerges toward the end.

Thanks to its highly accessible melody, even those uninterested in classical music are likely to be moved.

Not only the performance but also the sheet music itself leaves a strong impression, so if you can read music, be sure to take a look at the score as well.

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Ryo

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Grandes études d’après Paganini, S.141 No. 3 in G-sharp minor “La Campanella”Franz Liszt58rank/position

Nobuyuki Tsujii - La Campanella

Franz Liszt’s Grandes études de Paganini, S.141 No.

3 in G-sharp minor—one of the pieces many pianists aspire to play—is widely known by its title La Campanella, meaning “the little bell.” This hallmark of Liszt’s demands transcendental technique: it’s a notoriously difficult work packed with passages that torment performers, including rapid, repeated two-octave leaps.

But the sense of fulfillment when you master it is surely exceptional.

While it’s hard to push the tempo like a concert pianist, it might be nice to follow the notes slowly to savor the atmosphere.

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yuri

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Grand Étude after Paganini No. 3 “La Campanella”Franz Liszt59rank/position

Arthur Rubinstein plays “La campanella”

Franz Liszt—Liszt is a famous pianist on par with Chopin.

In contrast to the small-statured Chopin, Liszt was tall and apparently had very large hands.

His hand size is fully showcased in the Grandes études de Paganini No.

3, “La Campanella.” It’s a wonderful piece that portrays the sound of bells through rapid alternation of the thumb and little finger.

As expected of Liszt.

Large hands are a treasure for a pianist.

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Mayumi

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Grand Étude No. 5 after PaganiniFranz Liszt60rank/position

2013 Oji Hall Prize / Ryota Yamazaki Liszt: “La Chasse” (The Hunt)

When it comes to the Grandes Études de Paganini, No.

3 La Campanella and No.

6 Variations on a Theme are the famous ones, but I highly recommend No.

5 as well.

In the first half and at the end it evokes people setting out on a hunt, the middle signals the start of the chase, and you can almost hear birds chirping—it’s a charming little piece.

Grand Etude No. 6 “Theme and Variations” by PaganiniFranz Liszt61rank/position

Paganini/Liszt Etude 6

Using the melody that begins the piece as its main theme, this work unfolds while constantly shifting character.

It is so famous that many people may feel they have heard it even if they do not recognize its name.

Originally an extremely difficult piece for violin, it was arranged by Liszt into a set of variations for piano that faithfully reproduces even the technical challenges of the original.

Piano Sonata in B minor, S.178/R.21Franz Liszt62rank/position

Liszt / Piano Sonata in B minor (Complete) / Performed by: Mamiko Tomari

A piano sonata published in 1854 and dedicated to Schumann.

Its musical ideas undergo intense transformations throughout, leading Schumann’s wife, Clara, to dismiss it as nothing more than “purposeless noise.” However, today it is a piece frequently performed by many distinguished pianists.

Piano Sonata in D minorFranz Liszt63rank/position

Martha Argerich plays Franz Liszt – The Piano Sonata in B-Minor S.178

Franz Liszt left an enormous number of works for the piano and gained renown as an outstanding pianist himself.

This piece is composed by applying his method of compressing the three movements he used in his symphonic poems into a single movement.

It employs the technique of “thematic transformation,” in which elements of a theme are transformed in various ways to generate new themes.

The principal theme introduced at the beginning reappears throughout the piece in many different guises, shaping the overall structure.

Enjoy listening as the theme evolves!

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HATSUMI

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