In the late 1950s or early 1960s I saw a movie on television, or
perhaps an episode of a television series, about a pianist who dared
to play in concert the horrendously difficult "7th Sonata" by a recently
deceased rival pianist named Karnovich (spelling might not be right).  He
succeeded only by wearing (like gloves) the severed hands of his dead
rival.  At the end, the hands turned on him and strangled him.  What
was the name of this movie or television show?  Is it available on VHS
or DVD?  Thanks.

Hello.

The program was "Terror in Teakwood" (1960).  It was a 50-minute
episode of the  "Thriller" television series hosted by Boris Karloff.

It is available on VHS.

From a viewer's review on Amazon.com:

"This episode, "The Terror in Teakwood," tells the story of a pianist
and composer who is obsessed with proving to the public that he can
best his late rival. He is eventually able to perform his rival's most
difficult pieces, but only when wearing the severed hands of the
deceased rival like a pair of gloves. Of course, such gruesome acts
ultimately lead to the jealous pianist's demise...."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/630312920X/

-------
search strategy:
pianist "severed hands" vhs

Thanks!

it was the right answer for this obscure question that only a real
expert could have answered, and no amount of plain "googling" had come
up with any help

Some movies with a similar theme:

Hands of a Stranger (1962)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056056/plotsummary
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056056/maindetails

The Hands of Orlac (1961) (remake of a 1924 silent film by the same title)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054963/plotsummary
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054963/maindetails

Mad Love (1935)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026663/plotsummary
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0026663/maindetails

Thanks so much for the rapid (and accurate) answer!  I would never
have been able to remember this on my own.  I was (apparently)
fourteen when the program was aired.  I am delighted that this program
is/was available on VHS and will enjoy tracking down a copy and seeing
this again, 44 years later.

Hi,
As for tracking down a VHS copy, several are listed on Amazon.com. 
Use the Amazon link above or this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/offer-listing/630312920X/
Regards,
juggler

Thanks, juggler.  I found a copy at Movies Unlimited and it should be
on its way right now.  Thanks also, sparky4ca for the related movie
suggestions.  Maybe, as a friend of mine suggested, the local archive
here at UC Berkeley (Pacific Film Archive) should put on a festival of
films about demented musicians.