Joel Hill ([log in to unmask]) wrote:

>Kar Ming Chong wrote:
>
>>Which brings me to ask: Why do composers such as Sorabji or Alkan even
>>bother to compose these unplayable pieces? Unless they're hoping that
>>someone, somewhere has three pairs of hands......or has time on their
>>hands ;-)
>
>I don't know about Sorabji, but I expect that Alkan knew that someone
>like Hamelin would come along.  Not to mention Lewenthal, Smith et al.

Given that Alkan was allegedly the only pianist before whom Liszt felt
nervous at playing, I don't think he needed to wait for anyone.

Deryk Barker
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