They rate compositions on a scale of 1 – 9 with ‘Un Sospiro’ emerging at a 7 to 8 on their scale. At one time, and indeed it still might be, ‘Un Sospiro’ was at the Diploma level in the ABRSM (Associated Board of The Royal School of Music), listings placing at a level of high demand and challenge.

A sigh
The third of the Three Concert Études is in D-flat major, and is usually known as Un sospiro (Italian for “A sigh”).

Liebesträume (German for Dreams of Love) is a set of three solo piano works (S. 541/R. 211) by Franz Liszt, published in 1850. Originally the three Liebesträume were conceived as lieder after poems by Ludwig Uhland and Ferdinand Freiligrath.

I still think nobody plays it the proper speed as Liszt would have. He probably took it up to 110 or 120 bpm, I personally opt for around 100.

Re: How hard is the Tristesse etude? (Chopin 10/1) For a 17 old pianist this etude should be very simple, even if she doesn’t practice too much. The harmonies of the middle part would take a few weeks to memorize and that’s all. It will be very nice if you can post her playing this wonderful masterpiece.

This piece is about grade 15.

Un Sospiro is the third piece in the set of Liszt’s Three Concert Études (Trois études de concert), composed between 1845 and 1849, and originally published as Trois caprices poétiques.

The most striking part of Un Sospiro is its ethereal and poetic qualities, with its rolling arpeggios and flowing melodic line creating an atmospheric mood. I look at the piece from multiple perspectives here, as part of GRAND PIANO PASSION™ ’s well-regarded Classical Piano Music Amplified™ series.

In the words of the composer Hector Berlioz, Liszt was “a god for pianists,” reports Michael Saffle in his biography, Franz Liszt (Psychology Press, 2004). The magnetic Liszt captivated audiences while performing recitals entirely by memory.