Brahms 2

[Bouter Boogie]

I’m so totally in love with this 2nd piano concerto It keeps me fascinated till the last movement and I think it’s gorgeous. It’s the most amazing piano concerto I’ve ever heard (next to Rach 2).

Anyone agree with me..?

- BB

[zheer]

I love Brahms 1 piano concerto i think its better.

[lisztisforkids]

I love Brahms 1 piano concerto i think its better.

I concur.

[apion]

I love Brahms 1 piano concerto i think its better.

Although I also prefer Brahms 1, Brahms 2 is more universally regarded as the greatest piano concerto ever written.  They're both monumental masterpieces, and it's a major achievement if you can play either one.

[Bouter Boogie]

I think I should check out his 1st piano concerto then

- BB

[apion]

I think I should check out his 1st piano concerto then

- BB

OMG, yes.  If you're looking for a great recording, try the Curzon/Szell/London.

[g_s_223]

The Brahms 2nd is the only piano concerto in the mainstream repertoire which is regularly played as the second half of a concert, i.e. instead of the usual symphony. Essentially, this is because it is effectively a symphony for piano and orchestra: it fully justifies this placing.

Also, who said Brahms couldn't orchestrate? The use of the horn in the first movement is enchanting, and the cello in the slow movement is sublime. Wonderful...

[mikey6]

I love how he shows off with the first note! The low Bb had only just been added to the keyboard. Propaganda material   Same with tchaik and the celeste in Sugar plum fairy.
I sight read through most of it the other day - does anyone else find it just...ridiculously hard?

[g_s_223]

You need to play more Brahms - then it get just a bit easier. His piano style is quite idiosyncratic. 

[apion]

Yeah, Brahms' piano technique is highly idiosyncratic.  It's almost as though Brahms is attempting to enable the piano to engender the full force and gravity of the entire orchestra.

I sight read through most of it the other day - does anyone else find it just...ridiculously hard?

Once you tackle the treacherous 1st movement (beset with minefields), you're confronted with a hideously difficult 2nd movement .... and then 2 more highly challenging movements.  Yeah, ridiculously hard.

[g_s_223]

Brahms recognized that many people found his piano writing difficult, and he went to the trouble of collecting a set of 51 Technical Exercises which cover most of these particular difficulties. You can see them here.

They've even been recorded by Idil Beret: pretty dull listening!

I've looked at them, and personally didn't find them that useful but YMMV. If you must have exercises, the Dohnanyi set are the best IMO.

[Bouter Boogie]

OMG, yes. If you're looking for a great recording, try the Curzon/Szell/London.

Thanks for your advice Next week I will get a recording of Brahms 1 and I'll tell you guys my opinion about that concerto.

- BB

[Kassaa]

First I loved the first concerto more, now the second concerto is my favorite concerto. Beautiful piano part, beautiful orchestration, it must be one of the best concerti ever written.