Alkan's Scherzo Diabolico

[Sekoul]

I just finished rachmaninoff's prelude in C# and i play it pretty decently... well i started the Scherzo and i can play it about twice as slow as it should be for now. Is there any hope of improving my speed or it's just one of those insane pieces that a select few can play? I know the etudes in general have a reputation of being impossible but id like to hear any comments and, if possible, tips on playing this!

ty!

[faulty_damper]

It's highly unlikely that many people have played this piece or any other piece by this composer.  But like most pieces, it can be played well if you practice correctly.  And your current concern is that you want to know if you can play it up to an appropriate tempo.

From looking at the music the required ability are broken octaves, arpeggios, chord tremolos, parallel arpegios, parallel inner notes while holding the melody, and all at a very fast speed.  If you can play the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 2nd to last page of the music (Billaudot edition) then the rest should be easy.

[legend]

just gotta say - dont fear alkan!

if you want to try him out - dont be scared - its not THAT hard