Concerti

[jehangircama]

There seem to be many people here who are accomplished at performing concerti. i would like to ask how you learned the pieces. i've got two music minus one sets (mozart 21st and beethoven emperor). are they useful? and did you play through the piece without the orchestra in the begining or did you use a recording or something? thanks in advance
jehangir

[perfect_pitch]

HEY - Well done for playing Mozarts 21st and the Beethoven. You have a good taste in Concerto Repertoire.

I've played (but sadly not performed) Mozarts 20th in d minor. At our uni, we can't just perform with the Local Symphonic Orchestra sadly enough, and out proper piano teacher was in Europe.

However, next year I want to play Rachmaninoffs 2nd. Since I have perfect pitch (I'm not bragging, I swear... I hate people who do) I can usually listen to the orchestra and memorise the orchestra performing and just hear the orchestra in my mind as I'm practicing.

Probably doesn't help you though.... I guess I'm just weird.

[mrchops10]

I've never used the music minus one series, but this is the best (albeit the most expensive) way to learn a concerto, I think. It works best if you are connected to a good music library, and if you are learning well-known concerti, which these two definitely are. Get a two-piano version to learn it, and afterwards check out a full score and begin to base your more advanced interpretation around this. Also, listen to as wide variety of recordings as possible. This will prevent you from getting too attached to one, and will allow you to understand better how the orchestra and piano interact. Then, also, as you practice, particularly if only providing support, try to "hear" the orchestral parts. If possible, sing or hum them during accompaniment, following that line in your score. Have fun!

[jehangircama]

thanks for the replies. sadly i have not started work on them yet but hopefully will sometime in the future. i got the sets about a year ago. btw, which recordings do you recommend for these two?

[mikey6]

The problem wiht the music minus one is that your sort of limited to what the original player does - ie - taking time where he/she does and thier tempos.  But i agree with the others, get a score to the piece and learn the orchestral part as well as your own.

[sergei r]

Just wondering, because I don't have any Music Minus One CDs, but what happens during piano cadenzas on these CDs? Is it a new track when the orchestra comes back in or are you just supposed to follow along with the original pianist?

[shasta]

Music Minus One are terribly challenging - - - I would find another pianist to play the orchestral part for you instead.  I posted this response in another thread regarding this same topic:

"Let's use Gershwin's Rhapsody, for example. The orchestra is playing on the tape, and you are playing along with it. Then the orchestra part ends and you enter your solo of the Rhaspody, which may be a good 2'18" or something.  You're playing the solo, yada, yada, yada, and you're ready to meet up with the orchestra again --- but the tape still has 0.8 more seconds of silence before it brings the orchestra in to where you already are. 

There are no audible cues or anything on the tape to let you know where you are in space in relation to the silence of the tape.  It's just silent.  So, if you happen to play your entire solo 0.13 seconds slower than the silence alotted to you on the tape, the orchestra will have come in that much ahead of you.

Music Minus One is good for concertos where there's a steady stream of orchestral accompaniment.  For concertos with extended piano solos, it's just not beneficial."

[BoliverAllmon]

I was told to learn a concerto and then put a metronome to it. If you can keep a steady rhythmn you can follow an orchestra. Don't know if that works, never played with an orchestra.

[mikey6]

I have the Rach 2 on music minus 1 (terribly slow!!) and in cadenza's or solo piano parts, there is a click track to guide you through.

[rob47]

There is a reason why they have a piano II part and its for when you don't have an orchestra; you and a friend can play like an orchestra and soloist. And theres no conductor so u can do whatever you want!! you're friend has no choice but to follow you. randomly. 

I get the feeling I'm repeating stuff that has already been said.

[allthumbs]

Greetings

music minus 1 - I've never heard of it. Is that like karaoke for pianists?

[rohansahai]

I was told to learn a concerto and then put a metronome to it. If you can keep a steady rhythmn you can follow an orchestra. Don't know if that works, never played with an orchestra.

And for the romantic concertos?

[shasta]

music minus 1 - I've never heard of it. Is that like karaoke for pianists?

Yes, exactly!