Who wrote the best/hardest etudes?

[dizzyfingers]

I think we we need a new poll:

Who Cares What the "Hardest" Etude is?
(A):  Don't Care
(B):  Very Much Care

Estimated results:
(A):  89% of the piano forum readers
(B):  11%

[essence]

I would answer A.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

yes, they are all, without exception, of zero musical merit. including Alkan and Liszt. the Liszt etude is a monstrosity based on his other etude (can;t remember which one, but I love it, it starts with alternating chords). Aha transcendental etude no 10, which is highly musical in contrast.

The Liszt, I agree with. It's one of the few original versions (S. 137/140/142) that's outright inferior to the later, easier versions (S. 139, 141, 143).

But calling the Alkan Concerto -- quite possibly the greatest individual piano piece ever written -- "of zero musical merit" is absurd.

Who Cares What the "Hardest" Etude is?
(A):  Don't Care
(B):  Very Much Care

Estimated results:
(A):  89% of the piano forum readers
(B):  11%

Unfortunately I think you're underestimating how many people only care about difficulty. It'd probably be closer to 75/25.

I would answer A.

I would as well, though it does get views...

[essence]

But calling the Alkan Concerto -- quite possibly the greatest individual piano piece ever written -- "of zero musical merit" is absurd.

I realise there are Alkan fanatics, but I have yet to hear anything by him which I find of any merit. Just a personal opinion. We all have our foibles and obsessions.

[liszt-and-the-galops]

Changing the subject, but I just came across this horrific Etude in thirds by Czerny:

I have no words.

Edit: another slightly less difficult one:

[lelle]

Changing the subject, but I just came across this horrific Etude in thirds by Czerny:

I have no words.

Edit: another slightly less difficult one:

I found both of those quite tasteless as pieces of music, but at the same time I wanna try them haha. Practicing the thirds one might do some good for my technique actually...

[essence]

Can you imagine the tedium writing out the Czerny study?

Even worse trying to read it. Start of second line, first set of semi quavers - is that b natural going to c flat? is that an f flat or f natural, and why is it followed by an f natural? Later there is an e sharp.

Utterly bonkers and a waste of effort and time.