I suggest mainly the Liszt`s transcription of the Isolde`s Liebestod, which is as demanding as exquisite music. Lhevinne`s recording of the Schulz-Evler`s version of the Blue Danube Waltz is considered a miracle.

What a silly, silly question. I`ve only been playing since 4th grade, and now I`m a sophomore, with no teacher, the teachers that I`ve had have taught me like NO technique, and I`m desparately teaching myself Rachmaninoff preludes. Seriously. I`ve been playing his Op. 23 No. 5 in G minor since like October (will someone tell me if I`m retarded or if it`s just a bit difficult?) I`m totally clueless, yet I know that this is a stupid question. There is no "hardest piece." Didn`t you like go to music school or somewhere? Or haven`t any of your instructors ever taught you anything about what should be in your repertoire (sp...I think)? Or don`t you ever explore for yourself? Oh, to have 32 years of experience must make you sooo grand and superior to everyone else in the world. But that isn`t what piano, or any music, for that matter, is about. There are some feelings which cannot be described through words, or would sound pretty foolish described in words. That is why we use art to describe these feelings. It`s about getting emotions across to someone, not showing them how well you can play. I`m sorry if I`m sounding harsh, but seriously. If you`re looking to grow as a pianist, why don`t you go back over some of your pieces you`ve played over the years, and try to find the real meaning in them, what the composer was trying to say through them, and try to express that feeling through your playing. I think that this spiritual growth would be better for you than trying to find the "hardest piece in the world." I mean, especially you. Good luck.
-Jackie

God, I never thought such an innocent question about finding a hard piece would result in feed back about spiritual growth, and suggestions that I think that because I`ve been playing for such a long time that I consider myself a saint. I don`t want to sound like a teacher but if you can`t say anything nice don`t say anything at all. Sorry to offend anyone.

ok, if you haven`t found a piece hard enough, or you have and you have already learnt it, try Mozart`s `Rondo alla turca` also known as `turkish rondo` and `turkish march`, but i do not know very many songs, so that could be easy, although i think a challenge is to get it up to the recommended speed and still play it well. you can get it from www.mfiles.co.uk
and i think that wantin to find a hard piece for a challenge is perfectly fine - why doesn`t everyone else suggest hard pieces, isntead of thinkin Gherig is up himself and everythin else you said?? just calm down everybody

Nah, it`s cool, guys. But Nyssa, no. I played that Rondo like two years ago, it`s quite easy, as are most Mozart pieces. haha, and I`m sure everyone would make fun of me for taking like two and a half+ months to master that Rachmaninoff prelude, so I`ll shut up now. Haha, as a matter of fact, I think I`ll start a forum about that right now.

Well, I am only 15 years old and been playing for 9 years now. I am learning almost all those pieces mentioned. If you have tackled this song it isn`t all that hard but great none the less. None other than the tocata and fugue in d minor. Bach. If you have any suggestions for me I would appreciate it. Thanks.

shubert`s prelude in d# a flat to the second power is pretty tough...but not for me cause im the best, my daddy said so

The hardest piece ever is definetly nothing anyone has mentioned here. This piece if it was the hardest obviously is waiting to be written. If there was a hardest piece of ever than it would be clear what it was in the music world. Bit of advice, the reason why some music seems difficult is because the theme of the music is not understood resulting in poor technique and awkward phrasing.

Since you have been playing so long, maybe you can help me. I have always wanted to play piano, however, never had the time, 6 kids, husband, full time job. I just was given a free piano and have been playing somewhat by ear, (lean on me, etc. the easy songs). My 9 year old daughter and 5 year old are also taking lessons. Problem: When I read about he notes, I just don`t get it. I am trying desperately to play Fur Elise by Beethoven (of course). I need to know how to play it for a recital at my daughter`s school. I downloaded the music, however, once again, I am clueless. Is there anyway you can help me take a short cut just for now by converting the notes into either numbers or letters? I do plan on continuing my lessons, but I think I am better at playing by ear and doing the chord method. If you could help me, if would mean so much to me.
I thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,

If you are really desperate you can learn notes and reading notes on the internet. Playing using your ear is a very good talent to have, instead of just playing what`s on the page. brings out different feelings I find. Just look that kind of stuff on the internet and get very used to it. Also. Pick up a copy of alfred`s basic course books. Very preliminary and will help teach you the staff. Hope I could be of some help.

well marissa you seem very busy and flustered so you dont appear to have much time. anyways back to the point, if you want to play the piano i suggest you buy a few books so that when you have spare time you can read it. you can gain alot from them when your starting especially the books which have a cd to help you know if your playing it right by playing it for you so you know what it sounds like. finally once you have learnt the notes of the piano and have an understanding about the instrument you can start playing easy stuff from children type books.and then you advance slowly.. if you skip to hard stuff its not so good cuz it will take you ages... its better in the long run to slowly grade up... you know what i mean. well this post means nothing. well a hard piece would be something that is really hard timing.. i cant name any as you have all said ones i know.

If you know such a lot about music then why not compose something decent too?
And I agree about trying not to play hard works until you are ready. I`ve been playing keyboard for 3 years and only switched to piano within the last couple of months, and it had taken me a whole year to perfect a simplified version of Flight of the Bumblebee. I`ve been told that in GCSE (age 16) Music exams, the marks no longer depend on the difficulty of the piece, but on how well you play it. So if you play a simple grade 2/3 piece really well you will get a lot of marks, more than if you played a grade 6 piece badly (well, it is in the UK).

I do compose. Not only do I make songs better, but I write my own stuff. And I must say, it`s not bad.

I meant Gherig

I think you can try as already suggested Piano Thing by Muse. I`ve been playing piano for only 14 years, I`m still 21. I don`t think that piece is very difficult to play, but I think the real hard thing you can do is try to play all it by ear, and write a sheet from that: so you can try to play a not easy piece just by your ear and make a lot of people happy, because that sheet doesn`t exist, or so it seems, and many are looking for that, like me. I already tried by ear but probably your experience will be more useful in this. Show us your genius! Write me if you need. Thanks a lot.