Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens

Franz LisztS.388

RomanticSpecialistcapricetheme-and-variationsG minorAllegretto2/4~6 min
H8
Henle (estimated)
RCM 10

About this piece

This is a virtuosic transcription based on Beethoven's 'Ruins of Athens'. It showcases Liszt's ability to transform orchestral textures into brilliant, pyrotechnic piano writing.

Teacher notes

The primary challenge lies in maintaining crisp articulation and evenness during the rapid, wide-ranging octave passages.

Technical focus

speed-agilityoctave-runslarge-chordsarticulationdramatic-contrast

Mood

energeticbrilliantplayful

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Free sheet music on IMSLP

Pieces similar to Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens

Comparable difficulty and character — good candidates for what to learn next.

Browse all Henle level 8 pieces (Concert) →

Frequently asked questions

How hard is Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens (S.388) by Franz Liszt?

Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens (S.388) is rated Henle level 8 of 9 — concert repertoire, roughly diploma level. In the RCM system it corresponds to about level 10.

What level do I need to play Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens?

You should be comfortable at Henle level 8 — meaning you can already play level 7–8 pieces cleanly. Learning it one level early is possible as a stretch piece, but more than that usually leads to months of frustration.

How long is Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens?

A typical performance of Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens (S.388) lasts about 6 minutes.

Where can I get free sheet music for Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens?

Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens (S.388) is available as free public-domain sheet music on IMSLP — the score is linked directly from this page.

What pieces are similar to Capriccio alla turca on Ruins of Athens?

Pieces at a comparable difficulty and character include Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C-sharp minor by Franz Liszt, Capriccio alla turca sur des motifs de Beethoven by Franz Liszt, Capriccio alla turca by Franz Liszt — see the full similar-pieces list on this page.