The Chopin Concerti

[steinwayguy]

I am a fan of both, although prefer F Minor over E Minor.

[happyface94]

At first I loved the F minor, my only reference to the E minor was a midi file I had. I even requested to play it. Then I dled the E minor out of spite and I turned out to enjoy it more. Its more "evil" and sad. Some parts remind me of his prelude which makes me feel like its a piece that the public can enjoy more. The E minor is also harder to play.

Of course I'm only basing myself on the 1rst mouvement and a bit of the 2nd. I happen to only listen to the first mouvements of concertos. I even prefer the (gasp!) 1rst mouvement of the Rach 3 to the 3rd.

[jam8086]

Yes, I agree...both are very well written, but the second concerto surpasses the first by far.

[steinwayguy]

C'mon. Vote.

[BoliverAllmon]

I prefer the first, though I am not keen on either one. Is it me or does the Chopin Concerto first mvt. have parts that remind me of the chords of Beethoven's 2/1 fourth mvt. sonata?

boliver

[Bouter Boogie]

1st one, especially the 2nd movement

[steinwayguy]

Why the *** do you people not listen to the Chopin concerti?


GOD.

[happyface94]

They think the orchestration is mundane.

[steinwayguy]

They think the orchestration is mundane.

They are mundane.

[apion]

They think the orchestration is mundane.

"Mundane" is about the kindest, most generous compliment one can attach to the orchestration of Chopin's 2 piano concerti -- the worst orchestrated piano concerti in the repertoire.

[jam8086]

Who cares about the orchestration?! It's amazing music no matter what instrument is playing it!

[thierry13]

Who cares about the orchestration?! It's amazing music no matter what instrument is playing it!

It changes all the nice effects of the music. Wrong orchestration make it all sound like crap.

[apion]

Who cares about the orchestration?! It's amazing music no matter what instrument is playing it!

Are you serious?  The WHOLE POINT of a piano concerto is to contrast and interweave the piano with the orchestra: ergo, if the orchestration sucks, the concerto sucks.

[jam8086]

Could you write melodies as beautiful and chord progressions that bring about as much emotion as he does in the concertos?

As long as the work evokes emotion, the composer can put things together however he/she wants.

[steinwayguy]

Are you serious? The WHOLE POINT of a piano concerto is to contrast and interweave the piano with the orchestra: ergo, if the orchestration sucks, the concerto sucks.

Shut the hell up apion, you're a flaming idiot for saying that. I've owned gerbils more intelligent than you are.

[da jake]

^ That was unwarranted! 

You can like the Chopin concerti all you want, but it really won't improve their esteem in the repertoire or their general compositional quality.

The thematic material is often beautiful (esp. inner mvts of both concerti), but often cheesily so for my taste. Chopin was by no means a great orchestrator. The only non-piano work of his that I would consider great is his Cello Sonata.

[steinwayguy]

^ That was unwarranted!

You can like the Chopin concerti all you want, but it really won't improve their esteem in the repertoire or their general compositional quality.

The thematic material is often beautiful (esp. inner mvts of both concerti), but often cheesily so for my taste. Chopin was by no means a great orchestrator. The only non-piano work of his that I would consider great is his Cello Sonata.

Pathetic. Just pathetic.

[da jake]

OMG U R STUPID LOL! SAYING THAT!!!11one

Well, in reality, not quite that bad. ...but you really aren't backing yourself; you're insulting people.

BTW: Is this some weird way of defending Chopin on your part? I say he was a sh*te orchestrator but it in no way detracts from the brilliance of many of his other piano compositions. Chill.

[steinwayguy]

OMG U R STUPID LOL! SAYING THAT!!!11one

Well, in reality, not quite that bad. ...but you really aren't backing yourself; you're insulting people.

BTW: Is this some weird way of defending Chopin on your part? I say he was a sh*te orchestrator but it in no way detracts from the brilliance of many of his other piano compositions. Chill.

I can not describe just how much I love these concerti. They are brilliant and beautiful, and among the best in the repertoire. Just because he couldn't orchestrate "well" doesn't mean the material was not there. It was, and it is equally as genius as most other concerti in the repertoire.

[Skeptopotamus]

I also think that the Chopin Concerti are some of the most beautiful and moving pieces i've ever heard, especially the first.  The Romanza is just incredible.


PS- I like your signature steinway guy ^.-

[steinwayguy]

I also think that the Chopin Concerti are some of the most beautiful and moving pieces i've ever heard, especially the first. The Romanza is just incredible.


PS- I like your signature steinway guy ^.-

Thanks for noticing. 

[Skeptopotamus]

We need to team up on her XD  She hates me like poison ^^

[Barbosa-piano]

 I enjoy both greatly, but I would say that the first one is my favorite.

[prometheus]

Just ignore steinwayguy, he is both rude and unreasonable.

[Skeptopotamus]

really?  he seems nice to me =)

[steinwayguy]

Just ignore steinwayguy, he is both rude and unreasonable.

Uh, this looks like spam. Nils?

[Nightscape]

Here's something I don't understand.  Everyone complains about how awful the orchestrations are..... so why doesn't somebody out there just re-orchestrate it?  There are plenty of composers who "re-orchestrated" other composers works to very good effect.

[steinwayguy]

Here's something I don't understand. Everyone complains about how awful the orchestrations are..... so why doesn't somebody out there just re-orchestrate it? There are plenty of composers who "re-orchestrated" other composers works to very good effect.

An interesting suggestion, but as I already stated, frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.

[Skeptopotamus]

Actually, I don't think the orchestrations are even that bad!  They are just incredibly simple is all, and since it is a piano concerto I don't really see the point in making the orchestrations big and complex since it is supposed to highlight the piano, not the orchestra.

[prometheus]

I don't think many people will embrace the Chopin concerto's with new orchestration.

Most will see the to them perfect Chopin orchestration replaced with by some unknown 'know-it-better-snob". People go to concerts because everyone knows Chopin and his name is mystical and the music music old. No one wants to brag about going to watch a 'violated' Chopin concerto.