I will start by saying that I know this has been said before (by me, actually), but I think it should be said again, only for those who missed it the first time around. Many of you seem confused as to what the "most difficult piano piece" is. I hope to give you some idea.
First of all, it is NOT Rachmaninov`s 3rd Piano Concerto. Nor is it Gaspard de la Nuit. Nor is it the Chopin-Godowsky Studies. Nor is it Prokofiev`s 2nd Concerto. What is it? The truth is, nobody truly knows. I personally feel that Mozart is the most difficult composer... and then there is Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji.
So who
is this Sorabji character anyway? Sorabji was an Impressionist/Modern composer of extremely difficult piano works. Many of his large works last over 3 hours. He had so many notes on a page, that, in order to fit them all, he wrote much of his music on 3-7 staves!
I understand that this does not sound realistic, but it is true. Which leads us to the most final answer to the "hardest piece question".
His most famous work, Opus Clavicembalisticum, has only been recorded by two people. Unfortunately, both recordings are terrible. That is because this piece (OC, as it is commonly called) is so horrendously difficult, it would be hard to imagine ANYONE playing it flawlessly. It lasts for four hours, and is incredibly complex. That is why this piece is considered the most difficult piece to be recorded.
I know for a fact that Sorabji wrote longer, more difficult works. In fact, one lasts 8 hours. But so far, nothing has been performed so far that is harder than the OC.
Though I cannot provide you with the sheetmusic for the OC, here are some links to other sheetmusic of his, as well as an interview with a pianist who specializes in his music, and information on the composer himself.
Piano Sonata #1
http://www.gamingforce.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35130
Piano Sonata #2
http://www.gamingforce.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=34559
Piano Sonata #3
http://www.blaubeeri.com/temp/Sorabji%20-%20Piano%20Sonata%20No.%203.pdf
Pastiche on Habanera from Carmen by Bizet
http://www.gamingforce.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=31823
Interview with Michael Habermann
http://www.michaelhabermann.com/sounds/_index.html
Information about Sorabji
http://www.musicangle.com/feat.php?id=24&page=0
