List of longest non-repetitive piano pieces

This page attempts to list the longest non-repetitive piano pieces along with approximate duration. The number of pages their scores cover and their formats are listed where available.

Works that have been performed or recorded[edit]

Piece Composer Approximate duration Page
count 		Page size Notes
Beatus Vir Jacob Mashak 11 hours 53 (in proportional notation)[1] A work for two pianos. Premiered by three pianists (including the composer), who played in rotation.[1]
The Road Frederic Rzewski 10 hours 539 (manuscript)[2][3] Premiered by the composer, Ian Pace and several other pianists.[4]
Symphonic Variations for Piano Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 10 hours 484 (manuscript)[5] A3 Variation 56 (of 81) has been recorded by Michael Habermann and performed by Chappell Kingsland.[5]
100 Transcendental Studies Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 8½ hours 456 (manuscript)[6][7] A3 The complete cycle of 100 études has been recorded by Fredrik Ullén.[7][8] The études that have not been performed in public are Nos. 27, 33, 39, 42, 45–48, 51, 53–58, 60–64, 68, 74, 82, 87, 90, 91 and 93.[9]
Sequentia cyclica super "Dies irae" ex Missa pro defunctis Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 8½ hours 335 (manuscript)[6][10] A3 Premiered and recorded by Jonathan Powell.[10]
Piano Sonata No. 5 (Opus archimagicum) Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 6–7 hours 336 (manuscript)[11][12] A3 Movements 8 and 9 from the 10-movement work have been premiered by Tellef Johnson.[12]
Inner Cities 1–14 Alvin Curran 6 hours Premiered and recorded by Daan Vandewalle.
November Dennis Johnson 6 hours 6 (manuscript)[13] Premiered by the composer, recorded by R. Andrew Lee.
The Well-Tuned Piano La Monte Young 5-6 hours Premiered and recorded by the composer.[14]
The History of Photography in Sound Michael Finnissy 5½ hours 365 (edition)[15][16] A3 Premiered and recorded by Ian Pace.[15][17] Performed by Mark Knoop.[18]
Piano Symphony No. 6 (Symphonia claviensis) Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 4¾ hours 270 (manuscript)[6][19][20] A3 Premiered by Jonathan Powell.[19]
Piano Symphony No. 4 Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 4½ hours 240 (manuscript) A3 Premiered by Reinier van Houdt.[21][22][23]
Opus clavicembalisticum Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 4 hours 253 (manuscript)[24][25] A3 Premiered by the composer. Performed and recorded by Geoffrey Douglas Madge[n 1] and John Ogdon.[25] Performed by Jonathan Powell, Daan Vandewalle and Hiroaki Ooï.[25]

Works that have not yet been performed or recorded[edit]

Piece Composer Approximate duration Page
count 		Page size Notes
For Clive Barker Matthew Lee Knowles 26 hours 1,061 (manuscript)[26][self-published source?] A4
Alida No. 16f "La conscience totale" Maurice Verheul 12½ hours 341 (manuscript)[27][self-published source]
Piano Sonata No. 5 Maurice Verheul 7 hours 18 minutes 441 (manuscript)[28][self-published source?]
Piano Symphony No. 0 Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 5½ hours 333 (manuscript)[29] A3
Piano Symphony No. 1 (Tāntrik) Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 4½ hours 284 (manuscript)[30] A3
Piano Symphony No. 2 Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji 4½ hours 248 (manuscript)[31] A3

See also[edit]

Notes and references[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Madge's two recordings (released by Keytone Records and BIS Records respectively) were taken from live performances.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Sorabji Resource Site: Musical and Literary Homages and Dedications".
  2. ^ "Who we are - Frederic Rzewski". Musikeon. Retrieved 2012-04-30.
  3. ^ Free scores by Frederic Rzewski at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
  4. ^ "Trinity College of Music Festivals May 2006". Retrieved 2013-01-01.
  5. ^ a b "Compositions: KSS59 Symphonic Variations", The Sorabji Archive.
  6. ^ a b c "Performed Works and Timings Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine", Sorabji Resource Site.
  7. ^ a b "Compositions: KSS66 100 Transcendental Studies", The Sorabji Archive.
  8. ^ "The Sorabji Archive — News".
  9. ^ Sorabji Resource Site: First Performances of the Études transcendantes
  10. ^ a b "Compositions: KSS71 Sequentia cyclica super Dies iræ", The Sorabji Archive.
  11. ^ ""Piano Sonata V" (1934-35)", Opus Archimagicum.
  12. ^ a b "Compositions: KSS58 Piano Sonata No. 5 Opus Archimagicum", The Sorabji Archive.
  13. ^ Gann, Kyle (2010-12-01). "Reconstructing November". American Music. 28 (4).
  14. ^ "A guide to La Monte Young's music". the Guardian. 2013-03-25. Retrieved 2022-12-31.
  15. ^ a b "History of Photography Archived 2012-12-15 at the Wayback Machine", IanPace.com.
  16. ^ Finnissy, Michael (2004). The History of Photography in Sound. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-372648-2.
  17. ^ Finnissy Michael The History Of Photography in Sound Ian Pace Metier 5Cds
  18. ^ "Performances between 1993 and 2004", MarkKnoop.com.
  19. ^ a b The Sorabji Archive — Compositions — KSS95 Piano Symphony No. 6 Symphonia Claviensis
  20. ^ Sorabji Resource Site: Works with Alternate or Previous Titles
  21. ^ "Sorabji Resource Site: Performed Works and Timings". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2011-08-14.
  22. ^ Sorabji Resource Site: Works Ordered by Number of Pages
  23. ^ The Sorabji Archive — Compositions — KSS85 Piano Symphony No. 4
  24. ^ "Timings of Recorded Performances of Opus clavicembalisticum", Sorabji Resource Site.
  25. ^ a b c "Compositions: KSS50 Opus Clavicembalisticum", The Sorabji Archive.
  26. ^ Matthew Lee Knowles - Compositions - For Clive Barker
  27. ^ Verheul, Maurice (2023-04-03). "Alida No.16f 'La conscience totale'". Musicaneo. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  28. ^ Verheul, Maurice (20 June 2013). "Piano Sonata No. 5". Musicaneo.
  29. ^ The Sorabji Archive — Compositions — KSS51 Piano Symphony no. 0
  30. ^ The Sorabji Archive — Compositions — KSS60 Piano Symphony No. 1 Tāntrik
  31. ^ The Sorabji Archive — Compositions — KSS75 Piano Symphony No. 2
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