most difficult piano piece of all time [Archive]

playmygreyguitar

08-16-2003, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by Adare
Chopsticks. That is hard stuff!!

hahahahaha. kudos my friend.

ok well i'd vote one of the hardest as beethoven's sonata pathetique (in c minor). i'm thinking first movement definitely, since EVERYONE plays the 2nd movement. and anything rachmaninoff is ridiculous.

s_k_8or_die

08-16-2003, 05:31 PM

Maveryck

08-17-2003, 03:03 AM

Hmm... I'll try and download it. The only Prokofiev I've heard is "Montagues and Capulets" from his Romeo and Juliet Suite :p

Spirit1040

08-17-2003, 06:55 AM

a pianist friend of mine told me (I know very little piano) Rachmaninov concert n 3.

s_k_8or_die

08-17-2003, 10:58 PM

Yeah Rachmoninoff concertos are very hard

wing_of_jupiter

08-22-2003, 03:21 AM

I'm a seventh grade piano student, and I think rachmaninoff os stupid to even go near, unless you like that crazy minor/chromatic stuff. Chopin's "Revolution-Etude" is very hard, Etude No. 12, Opus 10 in E Minor. Of course many of Chopin's etudes are hard. If you're thinking modern stuff, go and buy Manfred Schmitt's "Blues and Boogie-Woogie" book, and if you can play it front cover to back, you the man!

leftovercrizack

08-23-2003, 05:06 PM

Joel_JJ_Ison

08-25-2003, 08:49 AM

rachmaninovs 2nd piano concerto is pretty crazy

Glyder

08-25-2003, 01:43 PM

Rach's 3rd is the most fun to play ;)

Glyder

BassGod.com

09-03-2003, 03:47 PM

I like when the saints go marching in.

moyboy

09-04-2003, 01:12 PM

Fantasie is pretty hard, I could probably pull off either hand separatly but its pretty fu.cked up together. 6tuplets(is that what they're called?) and sixteenths...
Another piece that's pretty hard is Serpent's Kiss by William Bolcom.

Lime

09-04-2003, 04:03 PM

I can finally play fantasie impromptu, but learned it on my old non-weighted keyboard. Now I've moved to fully weighted I'm totally knackered by the closing 8 bars, which are the most manic fingering-wise.

I don't think it touches Chopin's etudes for difficulty. In particular, the 4th of the Opus 10 set. That is absolute rock. Can anyone here play it? (I can only manage the first 4 bars, right hand only)

joshmay

09-06-2003, 11:47 AM

ive written some pretty hard stuff. not that i can play it, but its rough.

PianoDan

09-09-2003, 07:04 AM

According to the movie Shine, Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto would be it. It definitely looks like it. I have to admit I've never heard any Prokofiev stuff, must find some. The most difficult piece I've attempted to play is Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. I'm not good enough for that but I can some of the easier parts sounding pretty nice. I'm also having a serious shot at Chopin's Ballade in G minor, it might be within my reach.

Fantasie Impromptu is pretty hard, I haven't learned it yet. Seperate hands aren't too impossible, even the rhythm isn't that difficult, but I'm a long way off putting the two hands together.

The hardest piece I can actually play is the 3rd movement (the presto agitato movement) of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

duderoi

09-09-2003, 09:31 PM

all of percofiev's stuff is really hard, and then Rachmoninoff's piano concerto number 3 is very hard.

Lime

09-11-2003, 03:52 PM

Originally posted by PianoDan
According to the movie Shine, Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto would be it. It definitely looks like it. I have to admit I've never heard any Prokofiev stuff, must find some. The most difficult piece I've attempted to play is Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. I'm not good enough for that but I can some of the easier parts sounding pretty nice. I'm also having a serious shot at Chopin's Ballade in G minor, it might be within my reach.

Fantasie Impromptu is pretty hard, I haven't learned it yet. Seperate hands aren't too impossible, even the rhythm isn't that difficult, but I'm a long way off putting the two hands together.

The hardest piece I can actually play is the 3rd movement (the presto agitato movement) of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

You sound like you are at about my level. I can play Fantasy Impromptu, but not the Beethoven (although I'll have another shot now!). Chopin's Ballade in G Min is also one I had a go at - I got as far as bar 53 but ran out of steam. I still regularly play bars 33-51 as I love that part so much, but actually I reckon I'll complete the 3rd Ballade before the first.

Respect due for playing for the Beethoven Sonata. Well played!

Lomion

02-09-2005, 05:29 PM

The hardest piano piece isn't going to be a solo, it will be a concerto. Things like (the order they're in designates the order of difficulty I believe to exist):
Liszt's 2nd
Prokofiev's 3rd
Rachmoninov's 3rd
Brahm's 1st
etc.

However, if you're looking at the hardest solo, it would probably be a Liszt. His b flat sonata most likely, however, some of his transcendental etudes (not to be confused with the concert etudes) are also possible candidates.

Most difficult beethoven sonats are the later ones. Appasionata even is harder than the 3rd mvmt of Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight).

Fantasie Impromptu? The only thing that's difficult there is the three against four. If you can play three against four you wont have a problem with it.

ace of spades

02-10-2005, 05:03 PM

Just wondering... why are there two threads on the same topic???
On the same page!
http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=260023
:lol: :rolleyes:

Lydisk

02-11-2005, 08:55 AM

I saw some Franz list transcriptions....now thats hard.

Shazzam

02-13-2005, 10:27 PM

moonlight sonata 3rd movement

iambanzo

03-25-2005, 01:22 PM

moonlight sonata 3rd movement

the 3rd movement of the moonlight is tough but no where near the hardest. neither is the 1st movement of the pathetique. i love those pieces but they're not as difficult as ot

the really hard stuff is out of my league. beethoven's appasionnatta is awesome sounding, but they're are still maybe some harder.

some prokofiev and shostakovich sound really hard. maybe some of the atonal stuff because it's hard to get a handle on the harmony (or lack thereof).

concertos are maybe hardest because they're long.

liszt transcendental studies are supposed to be just about the hardest. chopin's left handed etude (can't remember which one it is) is supposed to be fiendish.

CuShMaN

03-25-2005, 02:21 PM

Not that it's really counts.. because it's 8 hours long.. but the hardest piano piece of all time is probably Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum. Waste of time if you ask me.

Want to see some trully interesting works.. look here (http://www.radiomute.com/showpost.php?p=270671&postcount=5).

Ghost Notes (http://ghostnotes.blogspot.com/)

do_dear_do_kill_me_do

03-31-2005, 12:42 PM

Aren't Beethoven's concertos really hard?
I just watched Jewgenew Kissin (or whatever his first name is) play that with the Vienna symphonic orchestra and that was **** ...although I didn't actually see his fingers. Dude that guy is crazy, Kissin I mean.

Betterthanfreakmeeko

03-31-2005, 04:34 PM

lol like lol

thesnowyeti

04-02-2005, 12:18 AM

hahahahaha. kudos my friend.

ok well i'd vote one of the hardest as beethoven's sonata pathetique (in c minor). i'm thinking first movement definitely, since EVERYONE plays the 2nd movement. and anything rachmaninoff is ridiculous.

id have to agree because pathetique is in b or something and im dyslexic and retarded with sharps and flats.

Betterthanfreakmeeko

04-02-2005, 10:40 AM

saaaaaaaaaaaaa

Betterthanfreakmeeko

04-02-2005, 10:40 AM

saaaaaaaaaaaa

Metalshark666

04-02-2005, 10:09 PM

take a pebble by Emerson, lake and palmer, and some bartok

Betterthanfreakmeeko

04-03-2005, 02:56 PM

a;sldfkh;prfha;osiehfa

AJtheguitarist

04-07-2005, 08:35 AM

The hardest thing I ever tried to learn on piano was 'Mary Had A Little Lamb'. The diminshed arpeggio prelude was awful to learn (and dare I say, I had trouble finding a third person to play the bass clef part)... Also, the seventh suite was extremely difficult because I'd hurt my arm a day earlier so I was kinda uncomfortable with the drum solo.

CuShMaN

04-07-2005, 02:06 PM

a;sldfkh;prfha;osiehfa

Loser.

Ghost Notes (http://ghostnotes.blogspot.com/)

Joss

04-07-2005, 02:15 PM

I think Chopin's Fantasie-Impromptu is stupidly hard to play!

anonymousss

04-09-2005, 12:10 PM

I htink the most difficult piano piece of all time is prokofiev's piano concert number 1......its crazy

Nah, I played that when I was 12. Although, I didn't merit the opportunity to play it professionally until last year, upon which, along with Prokofiev's 3rd Concerto and Rachmaninoff's piano concerti--2nd in C minor and 3rd in D minor, I toured Europe. (It was a Russian repertoire.) There's definitely much harder piano material to play than that.

CuShMaN

04-14-2005, 03:22 PM

Nah, I played that when I was 12. Although, I didn't merit the opportunity to play it professionally until last year, upon which, along with Prokofiev's 3rd Concerto and Rachmaninoff's piano concerti--2nd in C minor and 3rd in D minor, I toured Europe. (It was a Russian repertoire.) There's definitely much harder piano material to play than that.

Cool. What group did you tour with?

Ghost Notes (http://ghostnotes.blogspot.com/)

anonymousss

04-14-2005, 11:30 PM

Cool. What group did you tour with?

Ghost Notes (http://ghostnotes.blogspot.com/)With the NDR Symphony Orchestra of Hamburg.

Cong

04-05-2006, 03:08 AM

I'd have to say liszt's paganini etudes are the hardest i've sought out (hard pieces magnetically attract me). Of course, long pieces can be naturally hard due to their nature. Personally, the fantasie impromptu isn't as hard as chopin's revolutionary etude, which in turn isn't as hard as liszt's la campanella or any other paganini etude. the transcendental etudes i hear are hard but i haven't tried any of that yet.

Futuro

04-05-2006, 03:44 AM

FAERIE'S AIRE and DEATH WALTZ

Because no one can actually play it. :p

Diatonic Dissonance™

04-05-2006, 04:45 AM

Franz Liszt's Transcendental(sp?) Etudes are indeed very hard.

666Ozzfan

04-05-2006, 05:30 AM

Anyone listened to Dream Theater? There's some crazy keyboard solos by Jordan Rudess, especially the live stuff. Mind blowing really, in sync with guitar. Insane. Worthwhile to listen to if you like prog-metal or prog-rock

Mattyb2001uk

04-05-2006, 05:21 PM

Have you guys check out Charles-Valentin Alkans Etudes? These are ment to be harder than Liszt's Transcendental Etudes.

Also Most of Godowsky's Works are difficult.

Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum which is nearly 5 hours long. (he has composed a piece 8 hours long, and also Frederic Rzewski has composed a piece 8 hours long aswell) It'd be extremely tiring playing for that long.

Also I think that Leonardo Balada's Transparency of Chopins Ballade in G Minor looks pretty tough.

saint17

04-06-2006, 02:19 AM

Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit - Scarbo. Probably not the most difficult piano solo, but certainly an extremely hard piece. Im watching a video of Martha Argerich playing it. She is amazing.

Yes Godowsky's works are difficult as well. My instructor has played some of them for me before. Passacaglia and the Symphonic Metamorphosis' on Strauss - Kunsterleben. Amazing pieces, but I still prefer Ravel over Godowsky

pianoplyr77

04-08-2006, 10:07 PM

http://www.well.com/user/bryan/waltz.html

I could play this when I was 12.

(*The Noonward Race*)

04-10-2006, 03:09 AM

Why do all the noobs come itt?

DrunkenMimes22

04-11-2006, 12:40 AM

http://www.well.com/user/bryan/waltz.html

I could play this when I was 12.

that is awesome lol

some jive turkey

04-11-2006, 03:52 AM

Nucking_Futs

04-13-2006, 12:32 AM

I would have to say Bachs invention number ohh I forgot but is crazy ***.

theykilledkenny!

04-15-2006, 01:41 PM

I play Beethoven's Appassionata movements 1 and 3, and wouldn't say they're impossibly difficult.
I would cast my vote for Rachmaninoff's Moment Musical No. 2, or Impromptu in Gb Major by Chopin.

UnholyDemon

04-15-2006, 11:47 PM

I've heard that Scriabin's Etude Op. 42 No. 5 C#-Minor is pretty difficult. Anyone heard it?

aria333

04-16-2006, 12:29 AM

i notice a lot of ppl registered just to post in this fred

DuckinFutch8

04-17-2006, 04:16 PM

http://www.well.com/user/bryan/waltz.html

I could play this when I was 12.

I bet oneday, someone will figure out some insane way to play that.

pianoplyr77

04-17-2006, 10:17 PM

If I had three or four arms I would so learn that

wademachine

04-18-2006, 09:28 AM

i want to stick this in guitar pro just to see what it'd sound like

kevbud187

04-20-2006, 11:26 PM

id have to say chopsticks perfectly in time. Nothing is harder cuz everyone wants to play it at the bad tempo that everyone plays it at. PWN

/thread

Daiquiri

06-15-2006, 07:12 PM

Barlow Cogluotobusletesmesi
Barrett Tract
Bussotti "Pour Clavier"
Cage Etudes Australes
Finnissy all.fall.down.
Finnissy Solo Concerto No. 4
Flynn "Trinity"
Fox 24 Etudes
Fox Sonata No. 2 "Brutale"
Hoban "When the Panting Starts"
Martino Pianississimo
Scelsi Action Music
Sorabji Sonata No. 5 "Opus Archimagicum"
Stockhausen Klavierstucke X
Xenakis Evryali
Xenakis Piano Concerto "Synaphai"
Zimmermann Wunsterwanderung

even if they were canadian

06-16-2006, 07:12 PM

My theory/chorus teacher said a lot of chopin's stuff is extremely difficult. She can't even play some of it because her hands aren't big enough. :p

sunshineplaysbass

06-16-2006, 10:19 PM

I always thought Bach's Inventio 11 looked tricky.
Or of course Toccata and Fugue in D Minor..but it's organ, not piano. Still a sweet song though.

Lady Lex

06-21-2006, 04:03 AM

Someone with a PhD. in piano performance told me that one of the most difficult, or the most difficult piece, considered by many, was something by Ravel. It may have been the piece mentioned up ^ a few posts ago. I wish I could remember.

I havent looked at the whole thread - sorry.

But Id say the hardest piano piece ever.. is the Left Handed Concerto by Ravel.

Ive played concertos with orchestras, done Liszt Etudes, Chopin sonatas/etudes, Rachmaninov

this one indeedy takes the cake. luckily.. I had RSI in my right hand at the time to be awarded this one :lol:

Diatonic Dissonance™

06-26-2006, 06:45 AM

I always thought Bach's Inventio 11 looked tricky.
Or of course Toccata and Fugue in D Minor..but it's organ, not piano. Still a sweet song though.
Uhh..

Mazeppa

06-27-2006, 12:14 PM

Godowsky's transcriptions of the Chopin Etudes, Balakirev's Islamey, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit; things like that all spring to mind. Guess I should ask my teacher what he thinks sometime.

Diatonic Dissonance™

06-28-2006, 09:44 PM

Godowsky's transcriptions of the Chopin Etudes, Balakirev's Islamey, Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit; things like that all spring to mind. Guess I should ask my teacher what he thinks sometime.
Best. User. Name. Ever.

Mazeppa

06-29-2006, 11:47 AM

Haha, cheers.

I'm a big fan of Liszt.

Diatonic Dissonance™

07-01-2006, 09:42 AM

Aren't we all.

pianojesus

09-07-2006, 06:44 PM

Many of you guys really need to get out. Beethoven's Pathetique is very easy, likewise Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu. They sound way harder than they really are. Chopin's etudes are somewhat difficult, but the "Revolutionary" is one of the easiest, although it certainly has another rep. This is a typical show piece. If you want a hard work, piano concertos are where you get the hardest, typically. Liszt's 1st piano concerto sounds superhuman, but, like much of his works, if approached systematically is much easier than it sounds. Rachmaninoff is insane, Prokofiev is out there too, and others follow suite. As for difficult solo stuff, try Bela Bartok. He's unfortunately not well known, and even less understood. His one (published) piano sonata of 1926 is one of the most difficult piano pieces ever--and opposite of Liszt, he is harder to play than he sounds. But it's very much worth it, especially if you're into metal. I personally see him as the godfather of metal--although I'm not making any claims to true roots or evolution. He's just a genuine h@rd@ss.

-Jesus :chug: :chug: :chug:

pianojesus

09-07-2006, 06:48 PM

Ok, I also forgot. Chopsticks is a great tune, however PDQ Bach's "Ill Tempered Clavier" contains that theme, I think in a fugue, if not prelude. There's some GREAT stuff to be had with PDQ.

--Jesus:chug: :chug: :chug:

destroyer_of_senses

09-09-2006, 11:50 AM

I played Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin when I was 12 and I won a competition with it.
I also played the sonata pathetique by Beethoven...It's difficult, but not challenging....once again prokofiev is definately the hardest piece yet....I dont htink anybody has listened to it yet...It's not a very common piece.

bulllll****tt
ive never heard a 12 year old come close to thei unless their one of those japenses prodigys.

record it and then i might belioeve it

Shadows Within

09-09-2006, 07:20 PM

bulllll****tt
ive never heard a 12 year old come close to thei unless their one of those japenses prodigys.

record it and then i might belioeve it
Or Russian like Vova and Olga Galchenko

Everything Classical I'se seen Vitalij Kuprij do is insane he does alot of Chopin it seems.

http://www.myspace.com/vitalijkuprij