Advice for concerto

[Noah]

I'm looking for a concerto to play at a competition in March. I was thinking of playing Shostakovich n.2, because I don't have that much time to practice since I'm studying physics at university. But I heard today that the orchestra played the Shostakovich recently, so I have to find another concerto.
I can't take Schumann either, nor Rachmaninov 2, nor Grieg (they also played it recently).
I'm tempted to do a Mozart, but I know it's very hard to win a competition with one of his concertos since it's very subjective. I played Beethoven's 3rd last year and don't really wanna go for another Beethoven.
Have you got any ideas as to which concerto would suit ? I have about 2 hours a day to practice, and I'm preparing the DipABRSM exam (though I don't find the repertoire requirements for it very challenging).
Thanks for your help,

Noah

[eddie92099]

Which competition is it? What are the time limits?
Ed

[Noah]

Well it's a concerto competition at uni. If you win you get to play with the orchestra. The level is quite high, because there are part-time RCM students at uni.
There's no time limit. You play the whole concerto at the audition with a second pianist.

[eddie92099]

Here are my suggestions seperated into eras:

Classical:
Haydn D major (no.11)
Mozart D minor (no.20)
Mozart C major (no.21)
Beethoven C major (no.1)

Romantic:
Chopin no.2
Liszt no.2

20th Century:
Rachmaninov no.1
Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini
Ravel G major
Bartok no.3
Prokofiev no.1
Prokofiev no.2 (my personal favourite piece)
Prokofiev no.3
Khatchaturian Piano Concerto
De Falla: Nights in the gardens of Spain

Ed

[e60m5]

I would disagree with the suggestion of the Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Without much time to practice, that piece would be hell. And yes, I have played it before.

But how about something like Beethoven's Emperor concerto, or the Liszt Totentanz?

[pskim]

How about Saint-Saens 4th concerto in C minor?  That's a fantastic concerto and not as demanding as the Rachmaninoff's.

[e60m5]

Now that I recall, take a look at Saint-Saens' Piano Concerto no.2 in G Minor.

Absolutely gorgeous.

[Noah]

I don't like the Totentanz a lot, and the Emperor.... well that would be another Beethoven =)
I don't know any of the Saint-Saens very well, I'll have a look at them, how hard are they ?
I'm intrigued by the de Falla. Can you tell me more about that piece please ?

[la_carrenio2003]

What about Shostakovich 1st?

[eddie92099]

I'm intrigued by the de Falla. Can you tell me more about that piece please ?

This is one of my favourite pieces but I am told the orchestral part is quite hard. You can listen to the first minute of every movement here:

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00001R3LV/qid=1065958920/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_3/102-7592109-9695343?v=glance&s=classical

Argerich has also recorded this piece (with Barenboim),
Ed

[JohnOgdon]

Scriabin concerto, Tchaikovsky 2 are good, underplayed pieces. Liszt no.1 is a fairly easy to play piece, but very impressive. Or have  a look at the sorabji concerti................. tee hee

[eddie92099]

There is a Sorabji concerto? Now I am intrigued...
Ed

[Noah]

What about Shostakovich 1st?

It's a concerto for trumpet, piano and strings I think

Ed, The de Falla sounds wonderful ! I'll go and buy the Argerich version tomorrow if I find it  

[Bosendorfer_214]

Do the Mendelssohn G-minor.

[eddie92099]

Glad to help! Oh and by the way, don't do the Mendelssohn G minor  ,
Ed

[JohnOgdon]

ed,
I agree, do not do the mendelssohn G minor. There are around 8 sorabji concerti, and I think 2 piano symphonys (the second is supposed to be much harder than Opus Clavicembalisticum). They are not in print though - the manuscripts are probably c/o alistair Hinton, the sorabji archive, Bath.

[Noah]

Hey,
What's wrong with the Mendelssohn ?
Ed, do you know who publishes Nights in the Gardens of Spain ?

[eddie92099]

Check out:
www.allegro.co.uk
It has an online catalogue of (almost) all music available from different publishers in the UK and you can order online too. I cannot remember offhand who publishes the De Falla but it is definitely on that site,
Ed