The piano repertoire for left hand alone was a comparatively recent development dating from the later 19th century and was boosted significantly by the Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who commissioned the Concerti for the Left Hand by Ravel, Prokofiev, Hindemith and others and produced a large number of arrangements of solo works by other composers. The right hand, by contrast, has had very little time spent on it, probably because it enjoys the bulk of our attention in normal piano music. It is certainly true that amongst pianists it is the right hand that must often take a sabbatical or retire completely due to overuse, misuse or pure bad luck, thereby leaving the left hand to keep the show going on by itself. However, the left hand suffers its fair share of injuries and it would seem a shame to neglect those occasions where the right hand may need or deserve to take a solo role.
These nine pieces offer music of varying moods and styles, from a classical minuet and trio to a late romantic virtuoso showpiece. Whether the right hand is the only option available, or whether the moment calls for a display of single handed virtuosity, these pieces should give pianists something to chew on. Sometimes aiming to hide their singlehandedness, sometimes embracing it as an aesthetic, it is hoped they will provide both musical pleasure and technical challenge, ranging from intermediate to advanced requirements. Bela Hartmann
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