The most technically demanding piece - Balakirev's Islamey or Ravel's Gaspard?

[flashyken]

I read somewhere that Balakirev's Islamey was arguably the most technically demanding piano solo piece, arguably because Ravel's Gaspard De La Nuit was also considered to have a point of being generally the most technically demanding?

Of course, countless composers have written virtuoso piano works, but are the above regarded by most of today's virtuoso soloists as being the most technically difficult?

[maxy]

Islamey was considered the hardest piece of its time....(I can't say I agree)
With Scarbo from Gaspard, Ravel meant to challenge that.

Both pieces are still considered hard, but there are a lot of harder pieces out there.
a LOT!

[pita bread]

In the standard repertoire, yes. Add Stravinsky's Petrushka to that list and you have the nasty triumverate.

[lostinidlewonder]

I think the Gaspard is tougher than the Islamey for sure, it requires a greater range of touch and sound quality by comparison. But these two pieces don't even come close to the most technically demanding piece though. Add Sorabji to the pot.

[Ruro]

I read somewhere that Balakirev's Islamey was arguably the most technically demanding piano solo piece...

The most technically demanding piece

Add Sorabji to the pot.

I love this forum

*Points at the Islamey as my answer, due to unfamiliarity with the Gaspard*

*Then points at the over-powering Sequentia Cyclica*

*Turns to point at Ahinton for his expected comments, and his views on the SC (or SCSDIEMPD)*

Technically is this piece difficult? I have never purchased nor seen the score... neither has it been discussed yet I believe, the world is going mad! Mad I tell ye! I'm not a thread maker myself, so don't look at me

[steinwaymodeld]

Ravel intended Gaspard to be way more difficult than Islamey.

And it indeed is more difficult.

[stevie]

yes, generally gaspard is more difficult, but islamey is more demanding in certain ways, its a more 'bangy piece' and maybe demands more power...and the end is obviously more bravura than scarbo's randomly CG ending.

[bartolomeo_]

Flashyken, you have much to learn and neither your question nor its answer will lead you toward the path of enlightenment.

[stevie]

but this vil -

rtsp://cdo.earthcache.net/roc-01.media.globix.net/COMP005996MOD1/Lang Lang Interview for the Web.mp3

[pita bread]

Flashyken, you have much to learn and neither your question nor its answer will lead you toward the path of enlightenment.

...

[jlh]

Of course, countless composers have written virtuoso piano works, but are the above regarded by most of today's virtuoso soloists as being the most technically difficult?

No... there are dozens of works that top them by way of technical difficulty.

[frombachtobarber]

In the standard repertoire, yes. Add Stravinsky's Petrushka to that list and you have the nasty triumverate.

Yeh...rhythmically the Stravinsky is tougher...and Ravel wins in having to control the tone. Also, the Balakirev needs stamina.

[musicsdarkangel]

I find this funny.


Gaspard is much harder than Islamey.


Islamey is a difficult short piece, like La Campanella, or Mazeppa

Gaspard is much more difficult.

[jlh]

I find this funny.

Gaspard is much harder than Islamey.

Islamey is a difficult short piece, like La Campanella, or Mazeppa

Gaspard is much more difficult.

To make it clear:  It was only Scarbo that Ravel intended to make more difficult than Islamey, NOT the entire Gaspard.

[musicsdarkangel]

To make it clear:  It was only Scarbo that Ravel intended to make more difficult than Islamey, NOT the entire Gaspard.

and yet the Ondine is even more difficult than the Scarbo.

[lisztisforkids]

Actually, I have heard that Ravels Tocatta from le tombeua coperin is more difficult than Scarbo... But I disagree with this...

[ralessi]

From what i have gotten from looking at the score and watching it performed/practiced, and talking with friends, it seems that the gaspard overall is more difficult to learn and get to where it should be rather than performance.  It seems to flow very well once it is in the hands, but practicing and watching tapes and performances of Islamey its just so unstable ALWAYS....not to mention the stamina required....Also, the gaspard does indeed have a larger range of coloring, but as long as its all relative you're in good shape....Islamey is one of those pieces that is rarely EVER played like it was intended to be played, with the tenderness and romance of a romantic piece of music.  The ONLY player i have heard play this like a real romantic piece is Gyorgy Cziffra...and Barere's recording isnt half bad...but  9 times out of 10 itss played wayyyy too fast and wayyy too loud..not to mention extremely dryly (sp?) 

Cheers!
Ricky

[m]

It is impossible to say which is more difficult, as it is very individual.
A. Gavrilov, whos technique was not that bad was "fighting" with Islamey for almost 3 years. It just "did not want" to come out. The Gaspard was much easier for him.
On the other hand, I knew pianists who would have great difficulties in the Gaspard, and Islamey would be a "piece of cake". In any case, both are difficult, esp. if to play on the highest artistic level. Not many can do it.