Hardest piece you know?

[i]I think one of the hardest pieces for an ensemble to perform is a piece known as summer dances. It does not look too tough at first glance- being in 6/8, though it is tough and one reason is because articulation and such is just wierd. Also Lincolnshire Posy. I am in symphonic band though my wind ensemble is doing it, my friend told me it is like impossibly hard- the guy who wrote it was insane.

For me it would be Flight of The Bumble Bee by Rimsky-Korsakov and Ballade in C minor by Chopin.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor by Bach is actually quite hard to play.

Toccatta and Fugue in D minor? It's not that hard.

The hardest piano compositions I know are "Llafthgin" (Arthur Reglay [me]) and "Revolutionary" from Chopin. Also, I have the "Maple Leaf Rag" and the Chaplin's favorite: "The Entertainer", both from Scott Joplin.

Toccatta and Fugue in D minor? It's not that hard.

The hardest piano compositions I know are "Llafthgin" (Arthur Reglay [me]) and "Revolutionary" from Chopin. Also, I have the "Maple Leaf Rag" and the Chaplin's favorite: "The Entertainer", both from Scott Joplin.

I do agree, Toccatta and Fugue in D minor is not at all hard. I've played it for organ and the transcription to piano. Not such a challenge

Toughest piece I know that I am playing currently? Ooh, good question. Either La Valse or Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 in C sharp minor. La valse is very tricky musically and technically as is the Rhapsody, so I'm not sure...

the two pieces I've had the most difficulty technically with would be Prokoviev's 2nd piano concerto, and the Ravel piano trio (which is obscenely difficult for the violin and cello as well).

the two pieces I've had the most difficulty technically with would be Prokoviev's 2nd piano concerto, and the Ravel piano trio (which is obscenely difficult for the violin and cello as well).

They just performed that piano trio at Oberlin!

Hardest pieces - NO BRAINER!

#1 that caps everything: Anything by Brian Ferneyhough, but especially "Terrain."

At a somewhat lower level, for solo piano, Ligeti's Etudes.

And not even close to the above, but still tough because of the rhythms: John Adams' "The Chairman Dances."

Sorabji's Opus Clavicembalisticum is of course the hardest piece of all. It is for piano.

I can guarantee that no one will even like the piece. Look it up, and listen to clips, and you will see what I mean.

Opus Clavicembalisticum

Er...

Actually it's a great piece. Unfortunately, the recordings are awful and mostly improvised, so few people actually know what it sounds like. Jonathan Powell, on the other hand, who has not yet recorded it, plays it very well, apparently, and those who have heard his performances of it claim that it's amazing, thrilling music.

I made a post about Sorabji on this forum a couple of months ago. I would like everyone to know that if you're interested in Sorabji's music, don't listen to Opus Clavicembalisticum (or OC as it's commonly called). Here are some samples - this should be a decent introduction to his music:

Fantasie Espagnole

In the Hothouse

Le Jardin Parfume

Songs for Soprano

A side note - Opus Clavicembalisticum is neither Sorabji's longest or most difficult work. The Symphonic Variations last about 8 hours and contain complexity found NOWHERE in OC, often spread across 4-6 staves.

Incredible.

Whoa! I'd never heard this guy before. This stuff rules! Listening to "In the Hothouse" now.