La Campanella vs Revolutionary Étude: Which Is Harder?
La Campanella is a little harder than Revolutionary Étude — Henle level 9 versus 8, a gap of 1 level. If you can play Revolutionary Étude comfortably, expect real work before La Campanella is within reach.
La Campanella
Liszt · Virtuoso · ≈ LRSM / FRSM
Among the hardest pieces in the standard repertoire — Liszt's bell-toll étude of merciless leaps.
What makes it hard
- Right-hand leaps of more than two octaves, at speed, landing on a single ringing note
- Fast repeated notes with changing fingers
- Endurance — the difficulty never lets up
Time to learn: A years-long project for most amateurs
Revolutionary Étude
Chopin · Concert · ≈ DipABRSM / LRSM
Chopin's Op. 10 No. 12 — a storm of left-hand fury and one of the great concert études.
What makes it hard
- Torrential left-hand passagework at speed and stamina
- A defiant, projected right-hand melody over the storm
- Sustaining intensity across the whole piece
Time to learn: Several months for an advanced player
Frequently asked questions
Is La Campanella harder than Revolutionary Étude?
Yes. La Campanella is Henle level 9 and Revolutionary Étude is level 8 — a gap of 1 level. La Campanella demands right-hand leaps of more than two octaves, at speed, landing on a single ringing note, which Revolutionary Étude doesn't ask of you.
What Henle level is La Campanella?
La Campanella by Liszt is Henle level 9 (Virtuoso), roughly LRSM / FRSM.
What Henle level is Revolutionary Étude?
Revolutionary Étude by Chopin is Henle level 8 (Concert), roughly DipABRSM / LRSM.
Which should I learn first, La Campanella or Revolutionary Étude?
Start with Revolutionary Étude — it's the more approachable of the two, and the technique you build there (torrential left-hand passagework at speed and stamina) helps prepare you for La Campanella.
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