What is the Hardest Piano Piece?

Summary

This video explores the search for the hardest piano piece, diving into some of the most difficult works written for the instrument. The presenter examines pieces from Chopin, Liszt, and Beethoven, highlighting their technical challenges, including finger independence, rapid passages, stamina, and virtuosity. Works like Chopin’s 'Winterwind' and Liszt’s 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2' are discussed in depth, but the focus eventually shifts to the daunting 'Gaspard de la Nuit' by Ravel, a piece that amplifies all these challenges. The video emphasizes the subjectivity of defining the hardest piece, while providing insights into piano mastery.

Takeaways

• 😀 The modern piano, invented in the 1700s, has seen countless compositions over 300 years, but the hardest piano piece is subjective and has many viewpoints.
• 😀 Defining the hardest piano piece involves specific criteria: it must be playable with two hands and ten fingers on a standard 88-key piano, without involving other instruments like a violin.
• 😀 Some commonly recommended 'hard' pieces on YouTube might not actually be the most difficult; the channel 'Rouso' mentions this in a comment about its top 10 hardest pieces.
• 😀 Chopin's Études Op. 10 and 25 are among the pieces discussed, with 'Winterwind' (Op. 25 No. 11) considered extremely difficult but still just the beginning.
• 😀 Chopin’s 'Chromatic Étude' (Op. 10 No. 2) is challenging due to the need for finger independence, with chromatic scales played using the weakest fingers (middle, ring, and pinky).
• 😀 Chopin's 'Double Thirds' (Op. 25 No. 6) is also tough, requiring significant finger independence to manage rapid trills played in thirds.
• 😀 Liszt’s Transcendental Études are discussed next, focusing on the difficulty of pieces like 'Feux Follets' and 'Mazeppa,' which demand finger dexterity and stamina.
• 😀 'Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2' by Liszt, particularly the extended and more difficult version by Hamelin, features iconic melodies but becomes increasingly complex with fast, repetitive octaves and a cadenza.
• 😀 Beethoven’s 'Hammerklavier' Sonata is one of the most difficult pieces due to its immense physical and mental demands, including fast tempos, complex rhythms, and a notorious fugue section.
• 😀 Liszt’s 'Gaspard de la Nuit' combines elements from all previous pieces discussed, including extreme finger independence, endurance, and virtuosity, particularly in the sections 'Scarbo' and 'Andine'.

Q & A

Why is it difficult to determine the hardest piano piece?

The difficulty of a piano piece is highly subjective, with many viewpoints and factors to consider, such as finger independence, speed, endurance, and complexity. Different pianists might find different pieces challenging based on their individual strengths and weaknesses.

What are the criteria for selecting the hardest piano piece in this video?

The chosen piece must involve only the piano (no other instruments), be playable with two hands and ten fingers on a standard 88-key piano, and be physically possible to perform. Additionally, it cannot be an opus or variation style piece, though multi-art pieces and sonatas are exceptions.

Why is Chopin's *Opus 25, No. 11* (Winterwind) considered challenging?

Winterwind is considered challenging because of its rapid right-hand passages, which peak at almost 14 notes per second. The piece also demands sustained energy with no breaks for almost four minutes, making it physically taxing despite not being the most difficult piece discussed.

How does *Chopin's Opus 10 No. 2* (Chromatic) challenge pianists?

The chromatic scale in this piece must be played using the middle, ring, and pinky fingers, which are typically the weakest fingers. The thumb and index fingers are busy playing other chords, making finger independence difficult. The piece also requires control and dexterity in using these weaker fingers to play fast chromatic scales.

What makes Chopin's *Opus 25 No. 6* (Double Thirds) so difficult?

This piece is difficult due to the demand for finger independence while trilling thirds (two notes played together) at a fast tempo. Even though the entire right hand is available, controlling the trill motion of thirds without using the wrist is extremely challenging.

What sets Franz Liszt's *Transcendental Etudes* apart from other piano works?

Liszt's *Transcendental Etudes* are known for their extreme technical demands, requiring stamina, control, and rapid movements. Etudes like No. 4 (*Mazeppa*) demand long, fast passages with octave jumps, while No. 5 (*Feux Follets*) challenges the pianist with rapid finger independence in jumpy, lively passages.

Why is Liszt's *Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2* so difficult?

Liszt's *Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2* is difficult because of its technical complexity and the variation in speed and intensity. The more difficult version, arranged by Hamelin, includes rapid octave passages, glissandos, and complex cadenza sections that require control, endurance, and rapid finger movements.

What is the significance of the *Hammerklavier Sonata* by Beethoven in this video?

Beethoven's *Hammerklavier Sonata* is significant due to its immense physical and mental endurance demands. The piece requires rapid tempos, complex rhythms, and double notes, particularly in the final fugue section. It is also extremely long, with some performances lasting up to 40 minutes.

How does *Gaspard de la Nuit* by Maurice Ravel compare to other pieces discussed?

Ravel's *Gaspard de la Nuit* is considered one of the most difficult piano pieces because it combines the finger independence of Chopin's etudes, the endurance of Liszt's transcendental etudes, the virtuosity of *Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2*, and the length of *Hammerklavier*. Each section of *Gaspard de la Nuit* presents unique challenges in terms of speed, finger control, and expression.

What makes the section *Andine* from *Gaspard de la Nuit* so challenging?

The section *Andine* is challenging due to its continuous scales, arpeggios, and chords with uneven patterning. The pianist also has to handle poly-rhythms and execute these complex patterns for over 6 minutes, requiring immense control and dexterity.