{"id":50025,"date":"2024-11-19T13:09:38","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T12:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2168a68a-4dd4-4ee4-b12c-6fb1ee79c5e9"},"modified":"2024-11-19T14:09:20","modified_gmt":"2024-11-19T13:09:20","slug":"hardest-classical-work-to-memorise-we-asked-top-musicians-to-reveal-the-works-that-test-their-grey-cells","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/hardest-classical-work-to-memorise-we-asked-top-musicians-to-reveal-the-works-that-test-their-grey-cells\/","title":{"rendered":"Hardest classical work to memorise: we asked top musicians to reveal the works that test their grey cells"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 19 November 2024 at 12:09 PM<\/p>

\n\n

What are some examples of the hardest classical music to memorise out there? And indeed, why memorise?<\/p>

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.<\/p>

Hardest music to memorise<\/h2>

Here are nominations for the hardest classical music to memorise, from pianist Ll\u0177r Williams, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston and violinist Chlo\u00eb Hanslip.<\/p>

Ll\u0177r Williams Pianist<\/em><\/h3>

Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 31<\/p>

When I play Beethoven<\/a><\/strong>\u2019s Sonata No. 31, Op. 110, I have part of the score hidden inside the piano. The first fugue<\/a><\/strong> in the last movement is particularly hard to remember. Whereas the fugue in, say, the Hammerklavier <\/em>Sonata<\/a><\/strong> is more athletic and muscular and goes into the muscular memory fairly easily, in Op. 110, the writing is more mellifluous.<\/p>