Romantic Piano Concerto Series

[cz4p32]

Ok, I know this is completely opinion, but out of all of Hyperions romantic piano concerto series would most people agree that the Mendelssohn 1st PC is the easiest one to learn, or does anyone think any are easier?

[thalbergmad]

Out of the ones i have seen scores for, i would say that the Moscheles 1 appears to be the easiest.

Thal

[pianistimo]

second only to john field's pc #2 in Ab major.  written in sonata form.  no cadenza in first mvt? because of the 'relative length.'  second movement is quite short.

macdowell doesn't seem to be an intimidating composer either.  i believe he wrote several piano concertos.  the first was written in two weeks, because a teacher peeking in on him goofing around at the piano and asked what he was doing.  he pretended he was writing a piano concerto. the instructor then asked to see it when it was finished. 

http://www.nysun.com/article/6881

[thalbergmad]

second only to john field's pc #2 in Ab major. 

Indeed, but Hyperion have not yet seen fit to record it.

Thal

[jre58591]

second only to john field's pc #2 in Ab major.  written in sonata form.  no cadenza in first mvt? because of the 'relative length.'  second movement is quite short.

that isnt in he romantic piano concerto series that hyperion is putting out.

macdowell doesn't seem to be an intimidating composer either.  i believe he wrote several piano concertos.  the first was written in two weeks, because a teacher peeking in on him goofing around at the piano and asked what he was doing.  he pretended he was writing a piano concerto. the instructor then asked to see it when it was finished. 

he wrote 2 piano concertos. the story about him, the 1st concerto, and joachim raff is probably a legend, which is what the liner notes of the CD says, so i wouldnt believe it really. also, i think both os his concertos are quite difficult. id go with the moscheles 1st concerto also. its a shame that  lot of the scores for the concertos of this series are hard to get a hold of.

here is the series for those who dont know:

http://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/collection_page.asp?name=RomanticPC

[cz4p32]

Thanks for the input.  I'll take a look at the Moscheles.  I'm putting together a list of scores for the entire series.  I have most of them hopefully i'll be able to come up with the missing ones.

[jre58591]

youd have to get the moscheles from either me, thal or the british library. i wont upload it without his consent.

[cz4p32]

i have the moscheles no 1, 2 and 3 scores.  NOne of the others. 

[jre58591]

ok, then youre set, then. i dont think i have acqired any of the others either.

[pianistimo]

oops.  sorry about the hyperion part.  guess i was just thinking 'easy concertos.'  saint-saens comes to mind, too.  but, have to check the list.  (why are we checking a list?)

[cygnusdei]

Just an observation - the Chopin concertos played by Demidenko are not part of the series, although it was recorded in 1993, within the period of the series (1991 onward).

Hamelin's Brahms Concerto no. 2 (recorded in 2006) is not part of the series either.

[jre58591]

Just an observation - the Chopin concertos played by Demidenko are not part of the series, although it was recorded in 1993, within the period of the series (1991 onward).

Hamelin's Brahms Concerto no. 2 (recorded in 2006) is not part of the series either.

hmm, a bit random. we never even mentioned these.

[cz4p32]

You know, Chopin's concertos aren't mentioned too much when it comes to first time concertos.  I haven't learned either, but they don't seem as difficult as most romantic era concertos.

By the way, as I'm trying to find the easiest concerto in the hyperion series, I guess I should qualify that as the easiest 1st movement.  The Moscheles doens't seem easier than the Mendelssohn 1st.  Why do you think it is?

[cygnusdei]

If you're thinking of performance, you can't play just the first movement of Mendelssohn concerto no. 1 because the tutti leads directly to the 2nd movement. Doing the 3rd movement alone might work though.

[jre58591]

You know, Chopin's concertos aren't mentioned too much when it comes to first time concertos.  I haven't learned either, but they don't seem as difficult as most romantic era concertos.

they arent mentioned too much for first concertos for a good reason. theyre really difficult to do, even for seasoned pianists. id say they easily beat out the moscheles and mendelssohn concertos.

[cz4p32]

If you're thinking of performance, you can't play just the first movement of Mendelssohn concerto no. 1 because the tutti leads directly to the 2nd movement. Doing the 3rd movement alone might work though.

Absolutely...the 2nd movement wouldn't be much of a problem though.

[jre58591]

off topic: has anyone heard volume 42 yet? im still waiting for my copy in the mail.

[cz4p32]

No, but I've not heard 41 either.  Looks like I need to get them both.

Does anyone happen to have the scores to the Field Concertos?  I know his 2nd was brought up in this thread though not in the Hyperion series.

[jre58591]

41 is a great volume is you like mendelssohn. its in the same vein.