Islamey

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Islamey: Oriental Fantasy (Russian: Исламей: Восточная фантазия), is a composition for piano by Russian composer Mily Balakirev written in 1869. Harold C. Schonberg noted that Islamey was "at one time…considered the most difficult of all piano pieces and is still one of the knucklebusters."^[1] Its difficulty has led to the creation of numerous ossias (alternative passages) and made it popular as a virtuosic showpiece.

^ Harold C. Schonberg (15 March 1976). "Music: Legendary Pianist (Published 1976)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 January 2022. "Islamey" by Balakirev [was] at one time…considered the most difficult of all piano pieces and is still one of the knucklebusters.

[1] Harold C. Schonberg (15 March 1976). "Music: Legendary Pianist (Published 1976)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 January 2022. "Islamey" by Balakirev [was] at one time…considered the most difficult of all piano pieces and is still one of the knucklebusters.

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