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Science and Music
Faking Franz Liszt's Hardest Notes

Before 1991, all of the 20th century recording artists were faking the ending of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody #2.
Liszt's put his most difficult technique, the descending octaves, right at the end of his most famous piece.

My recording on Virgin records was the first successful performance of Liszt's hardest technique. As a group, the other recording artists before me must have had about a thousand chances to get it right, because of the nature of studio recordings. All the best of the best had to offer was faked and failed performances. It is my goal to explain the science behind why they can't play the notes, with the hope that the next generation will be able to use that science to master the art of the virtuoso.

Why can't they play the hardest notes by Liszt?

-40 octaves = 40 different hand movements in about 3 seconds.
-38 times -the hands have to switch directions...............................
-19 times -the hands move in opposite directions........................
-14 different types of opposite hand movements ..............................
-THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE- Liszt requires the performer to "hammer" out each of the octaves at full volume, adding about an additional inch to the distance between each of the octaves....................................................
The total distance the hands move is about 156 inches if hammered as required by Liszt .........................................................
If the octaves are not hammered and played at less volume, the total distance can be shortened to 111 inches......................................