Bach/Mozart Concerto advice

[kghayesh]

My teacher wants me to start learning a concerto. I've never played a concerto before nor even accompanied someone in a chamber music performance  ....

But on the other hand, my solo performance is going nearly fine. The pieces i am working on right now are Beethoven's pathetique (polishing the first movement), Chopin's Etude Op.10 no.12 and the first Ballade...

My teacher suggested learning the Bach concerto in D minor BWV 1052. When i heard it, i didn't feel the music so much (dunno why). I just didn't imagine myself playing it with an orchestra. I thought of learning the Mozart Concerto no.21 in C. I think the music is much more beautiful.

The difference that i feel between both of them is that i feel that the Mozart's is a Piano concerto, that is you feel that the pianist is a soloist. Unlike that, in Bach's concerto i feel that it is like an orchestral work and the piano/harpischord is one of the instruments in the orchestra, just there is not much solo parts in it (cadenzas and those stuff)....

I need advice please and if there are any other concertos that i can consider..

Thanks

[steinwayguy]

Mozart 21 is an extremely common first concerto, as is Grieg's, and for good reason. Neither are easy, in comparison to solo pieces, but both are very great pieces. However, I would recommend other Mozart: 9, 22, 23, 24 or 26 and the Schumann instead of the Grieg. You could also look into Mendelssohn's G Minor Concerto and Beethoven's first or second.

[musicsdarkangel]

you mean number 21 in d minor?

[steinwayguy]

you mean number 21 in d minor?

No 20 is d minor (466)
No 21 is c major "Elvira Madigan"

[montiverdirocks]

      I think that, although it is a great piece, the Bach d minor is not a good first concerto, given that it's not the best choice for competitions, etc. On the other hand, it is great music which maybe you could give a second thought to learning. It's not overly difficullt music and contains a lot of stuff that helps your Bach playing.
      If I were you I would start with a classical concerto. I reccomend Mozart 9 or 20, but you could also do a Haydn concerto, as thqt would be a great intro to concerto rep. make shure to get the right cadenza and go for it!
      -Mike