Charles-Valentin Alkan, Franz Liszt, or Frederic Chopin?

[a little monster with pie]

Which of the above three do you believe expresses the most

a) piano virtuosity

b) musicality

c) sentimentality (by this I mean how much emotion they evoke)

and d) creativity

If you haven't heard of one or more of these people, here are a sample of each composer's works:

Alkan's Concerto for Solo Piano (3rd Movement)

Chopin's Grand Polonaise Brillante for Piano and Orchestra Accompaniment

Liszt's Un Sospiro for Solo Piano

[An Unknown Kunoichi]

Piano Virtuosity goes to Alkan hands down. (no pun intended) Crazy crazy man, he was.

Musicality is between Chopin and Liszt. I love them both... really depends on which pieces you like to compare.

Sentimentality is definetely Liszt's award. However this really depends on the performer.

Creativity... probably Alkan. Though Chopin did a lot of different styles, Alkan was really... out there.

[Funerailles]

Virtuosity is taken by Alkan, but it's close.

Musicality is taken by Liszt, almost entirely because of his piano sonata.

Sentimentality...I would actually hand this to Chopin.

Creativity easily goes to Liszt. His developments of harmony are incredible. I mean, basically inventing the Symphonic Poem? Writing Annees de Pelerinage? Definitely Liszt. I think Alkan was creative too, but to a lesser extent. To be honest, I don't know much about Alkan's works for solo piano outside of the 2 sets of etudes, the 3 grande etudes, the equisses, and the preludes. But I still think his reach wasn't as great as Liszt.

[KasukaRyuuzaki]

I like both Liszt and Chopin most in piano.

[Moron Feldman]

You should add in a "cuteness" category so Chopin can win something.

[Mintcubes]

I heard the 3 of them were good friends. lol

[Elevator Muzik]

Overall, I would say Chopin.
I may be heavily biased as someone that is a lover of French music.

Liszt would be my close second.
He is just... wow.


(Though Faure will forever be my favourite)