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Published: Monday, 15 April 2024 at 18:31 PM


What are some examples of the hardest classical music to memorise out there? And indeed, why memorise?

Some performers like to memorise works, others will need the music right there in front of them. Of course, the decision of whether or not to try and memorise a work before performance depends on two factors: the preferences of he performer, and the nature of the work itself. We asked three performers to nominate the work that they’ve found hardest to commit to memory.

Hardest music to remember

Here are nominations for the hardest classical music to memorise, from pianist Llŷr Williams, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston and violinist Chloë Hanslip.

Llŷr Williams Pianist

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31

When I play Beethoven’s Sonata No. 31, Op. 110, I have part of the score hidden inside the piano. The first fugue in the last movement is particularly hard to remember. Whereas the fugue in, say, the Hammerklavier Sonata is more athletic and muscular and goes into the muscular memory fairly easily, in Op. 110, the writing is more mellifluous.