Hardest Piece of Solo Piano Music Ever

[thepianist09]

A company has asked me to run a poll in every way I can to find out the majority view of the above question.

As a professional pianist I have put up the 11 pieces I feel deserve to be on that list.

Please vote, and if you think there are any pieces worth a mention I have missed, please say so.

Thank you.

[thalbergmad]

Please dear God, not this again.

If you had used the search button, you would have had enough information for an entire conference.

Thal

[thepianist09]

I did, and found useful information, but that is dated, new members can give their vote.

The real reason is the company asking me to do it has to prove it is entirely their work (or their externally employed) to their employers. It is quite a big deal, and a lot of money involved. I don't know how or why, all they asked me to do was personally run this survey in as many places as possible and present the data in the conference.

Having watched Amadeus last night I am feeling suspicious.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

none of those pieces can hold a candle to this.

Sorabji opus clavicembalisticum

Your search is now over.  Your welcome.

[thalbergmad]

It is quite a big deal, and a lot of money involved.

I wouldn't give 50 pence for worthless lists.

Thal

[thalbergmad]

The hardest ever.

Off The Edge by Plinkovsky.

Thal

[j_menz]

It is quite a big deal, and a lot of money involved.

Rubbish. It's a stupid question, and anyone who would pay for an "answer" is a fool.

[perprocrastinate]

professional pianist

Something smells like the89thkey.

[thepianist09]

Who is The89thKey?

Believe what you want to believe, I am not asking you to do that. All I would like you to do is answer.

If you don't have the courtesy to do that or suggest a better piece to put on the list, then please don't bother commenting.

[pianist1976]

Why are Bach and Scarlatti (among many others...) always missing on these stupid lists?

[redbaron]

Why are Bach and Scarlatti (among many others...) always missing on these stupid lists?

Different kind of technical difficulty

[pianomilady]

I don't know if such polls are common here since I'm new to this website, but my opinion is that, to even be able to categorize which pieces could be among the harderst pieces ever composed to piano, one should carefully think the definitions and requirements of a "hard and difficult" piece. What makes them to be that hard and difficult for pianists in general. It also depends how much these different characteristics of difficulty is emphasized and it should be noticed it's hard to be really objective since the the definition of difficult is often a subjective experience too, depending on the skills of the player. It's a matter of taste too. Which makes this question also a bit questionable and challenging.  One can always make the definition of difficult/hard piano piece in general level by general aspects.

Some people find some other pieces harder than others, for different reasons. What is difficult? To make the sound quality perfect? The technical difficulties? The need of stamina because the massive lenght of the composition (like Alkan: Concerto for solo piano)? The format and style of the composition? All these? Something else?
I think the pieces you listed may be among the hardest pieces, but it's a bit constricted list too, for the reasons given above in my opinion. It would be impossible to do an objective, comprsehensive full list about the world's most difficult piano pieces, but it is an interesting question of definitions too. Good luck for you to find answers, I look for the results too since it's very interesting to find out which pieces people consider to be difficult ones.

[pianoman53]

Your company is stupid.

[perprocrastinate]

Who is The89thKey?

Believe what you want to believe, I am not asking you to do that. All I would like you to do is answer.

If you don't have the courtesy to do that or suggest a better piece to put on the list, then please don't bother commenting.

The similarity..how uncanny.

[j_menz]

The similarity..how uncanny.

[mikeowski]

Who is The89thKey?

Correct.
Jeopardy Category: Bullcrap
Answer: You

[thepianist09]

Again, would someone please tell me who this 'the89thkey' is?

[thalbergmad]

My Bullshitometer is giving a high reading.

Thal

[unholeee]

My Bullshitometer is giving a high reading.

Thal

metric or imperial.

also i would like to play this piece but i cannot stop laughing. is that the hard part.

[thalbergmad]

imperial.

Of course. My equipment uses BPS.

Thal

[canada100]

I disagree that Liszt's Transcedental Etudes are the hardest-there are much harder pieces. Remember, Liszt was a pianist, and his compositions are designed to fit the hand of the pianist.


The hardest pieces are:

Islamey by Balakirev
Petrushka - Transcription (Stravinsky)
Gaspard De La Nuit (Ravel)

The Hammerklavier Sonata by Beethoven is also terribly hard.

[j_menz]

Blah de blah de blah....

[perprocrastinate]

What do you expect, he's Canadian.

I'm not seriously bashing Canadians; I just like poking fun at them because I have a few relatives over there.

[j_menz]

he's Canadian.

Why "he", what do you know that we don't. Spill!  And maybe he's (oops) not actually Canadian, but part of some conspiracy to embarrass them.

I'm guessing you won't get past the border to visit them anymore.