Toccata, Op.108 – Kalkbrenner

No doubt that it was Andy Warhol who invented pop art; however it doesn’t mean that he was a pioneer in everything. Take his Factory – a home, or rather rookery, for a lot of ostensibly gifted persons, – well, a similar facility existed in the nineteenth century in Paris already. The Factory for Aspiring Virtuosos was run by Friedrich Kalkbrenner and as such was essential in making its owner enormously wealthy. Nevertheless Kalkbenner’s activity was not limited to counting money – this prominent pianist and composer was the first to play fast-moving octaves with both hands. If you’re in search for a challenging piece to diversify the repertoire, you absolutely shouldn’t come by his Toccata, Op.108 – for showcasing one’s mastery it is a very good choice.