which style of piano-writing do you consider most virtuosic?

[stevie]

as we know, there are different kinds of virtuosity, from the intricate polyphony of godowsky, to the block chords and difficult rhythms of xenakis, its all different and uniquely difficult in its own way.

but which of these piano-writing styles do you think most fits the word 'virtuosic'.

what IS virtuosity to you?

to me, the style of cziffra's improvisations is the most quintessentially 'virtuoso' sounding of all, the sheer variety of techniques, textures, and above all - blinding speed at every turn, is the most stunning style of piano playing.

but this is subjective, and this is what this poll is for, so randomly - discuss.

[ryguillian]

Sorabji, because he is the greatest musical genius who ever lived; well, second greatest... we can't forget Ali. H.’s great quartet... the greatest contribution to music ever made.

—Ryan

[stevie]

Sorabji, because he is the greatest musical genius who ever lived; well, second greatest... we can't forget Ali. H.’s great quartet... the greatest contribution to music ever made.

—Ryan

fabulous, now kindly ; *** off

[pita bread]

To quote Habermann, "I never thought of Sorabji as virtuoso music." All the technique required is more used to create dense atmospheres than pure aural excitement, although there are moments of that too.

When I think virtuoso, I think of Liszt and Alkan--really exciting and driving music that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's not just the technique required that makes a piece virtuoso, it's the energy and momentum.

[ryguillian]

When I think virtuoso, I think of Liszt and Alkan--really exciting and driving music that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's not just the technique required that makes a piece virtuoso, it's the energy and momentum.

And Sorabji’s Solo Concerto doesn't meet this criteria?

—Ryan

[cherub_rocker1979]

Rachmaninoff needs to be on the list.

[brewtality]

Cziffra.

[presto agitato]

Schumann and Reger

[ahinton]

Sorabji, because he is the greatest musical genius who ever lived; well, second greatest... we can't forget Ali. H.’s great quartet... the greatest contribution to music ever made.

—Ryan

It's quite an effort for me to persuade myself to be bothered to respond to this but I will try just this once. For the record, I have no idea who this Ali. H. can be. That said, such unprecedented greatness as Ryan describes would bring with it such a burden of responsibility that I am relieved to be assured that it cannot be me, since I have only ever written one quartet and it has yet to be performed.

Once again, however, Ryan does himself no favours here - for the simple reason of his current deliberate faliure to satisfy those many subscribers to this forum who actually hope and expect that the vast majority of posts thereto are serious, informative, intelligent, thought-provoking and representative of what the poster actually thinks.

Best,

Alistair

[gouldfischer]

J. S. Bach, for sure (albeit not specifically PIANO-oriented).

[stevie]

Schumann and Reger

J. S. Bach, for sure (albeit not specifically PIANO-oriented).

can you both explain why you chose these examples?

[gouldfischer]

can you both explain why you chose these examples?

Sure. As you said, "there are different kinds of virtuosity". Among the ones that impress me most are definitely not those which concern almost pure finger dexterity, neither those which require breaking all the rules at random (so it seems), where it's not a big deal if you hit wrong notes here and there. "I love the rule that corrects the emotion" (Georges Braque). I love the brain virtuosity required to execute well the richest poliphonies, the virtuosity of being able to write four, five beautiful melodies intertwined in so great a vertical perfection that you dare not change a single note. Hence my vote goes to the one who mastered the style to perfection.

Only my opinion. :-)

Cheers,
     Vinicius.

[pianistimo]

very well said.  music started with song.  if you can't sing it - how do you remember it?  well, not totally true - but it's the starting point.  now we have a complicated instrument such as the piano - and it sings for itself. 

in the 20-21st century - we think of virtuosity as more complex than just finger dexterity, as just said...but maybe it's still thinking orchestrally and getting lots of tones and colors (not necessarily traditional harmonies) and accent sounds - and still pianistically written.  scriabin IS nice!  virtuosic also implies to me 'innovative' in coming up with new ways to use the instrument or hands/fingers that still sound good.  a virtuosic piece might require a performer to figure out what pianistic techniques the composer had in mind (unless specified).     

[musicsdarkangel]

Alkan