Rach concertos 2 and 3

[liszmaninopin]

What are the best practical editions to get for learning these concertos, preferably without spending over 50 dollars or so?  My main priority is #2, but if possible, I would also like to get #3.

[eddie92099]

Boosey and Hawkes are always reliable,
Ed

[Noah]

I think the only publishers are Boosey & Hawkes and Schirmer

[guven]

Boosey&Hawkes is great but expensive  

[liszmaninopin]

Thanks for your suggestions.  Boosey & Hawkes do seem to publish quality books. I have their edition of Rachmaninoff's Second Sonata and it is holding up very well, better than most of my Dover books do, anyway.

[Rach3]

I have Schirmer for both. They fall apart extremely quickly, at least their fingerings are good. I should warn you, the ossias (small notes) are small and very difficult to read, are they always like that? It is very unpleasent for the alternate cadenza in the d minor, millions of micrscopic ink-dots, poor lighting...

Why do you insist of combining the second and the third? They are opposites, archenemies. I love the one and passionately despise the other.

[eddie92099]

I love the one and passionately despise the other.

You passionately despise Rach 2? That is tragic...
Ed

[liszmaninopin]

I don't insist on combining the two, but I would like the scores for both, to learn in the long run.  I really love the both (Rachmaninoff is my favorite composer, and his 2nd and 3rd concertos are two of my favorite works of his).  I know that they aren't very original favorites, but pieces do not become as widely beloved as they are for nothing.  For me, the 2nd has moments in all three movements that are exceptionally touching, with great dignity and beauty.  The 3rd seems more agitated, expressing both rage and passion in a more dramatic fashion than the 2nd, which in certain moods is desirable, but other times I enjoy the more subtle feelings in the 2nd.  That's what makes a piece a masterwork for me...it can be understood in many ways in many moods, and is truly memorable.

[liszmaninopin]

I just started practicing the beginning of the second concerto today, and I was suprised that once I got used to the appreggiated (is this the correct way to spell it?) motion on the first several pages it was suprisingly easy to play.  I'm sure the whole concerto will turn out harder than I'm thinking, but it doesn't look all that bad from the score, as I have seen much worse.

[guven]

I love the one and passionately despise the other.

Well I don't despise 2 but I 've  lost my attention after hearing that the arpeggio motive on the piano was not his original idea , was Liszt's idea which he also named it as 'snowstorm' .. not 100% sure if it's true since I don't have a chance to ask to Rachmaninov himself...

Oh and 3, it's like McDonald's , it's in everywhere ..

[Rach3]

Oh and 3, it's like McDonald's , it's in everywhere ..

I have deleted my reply without posting it.

[guven]

I have deleted my reply without posting it.

I've written my comments by knowing that I would get all reactions of Rachfans . You can feel free to disagree.

But I hate it, after that Shine movie , everyone started talking about that concerto as it's the most difficult, greatest thing on earth. (Same as the movie pianist, everyone is getting interested in Chopin after the movie) Before the movie, people used to talk about concerto no.2 .This is weird.

They were already great works before the movies. But some people(musicians) recognized them after seeing movies. This is what makes me surprised most.

[liszmaninopin]

I was playing through the score for the third concerto this morning, and it does seem more difficult, although not that much more.  Of course, the score gets much worse later.  I would like to start learning one of these concertos seriously.  Do you think its possible for a 15 year old to properly play either the second or the third?

[eddie92099]

Play the 2nd,
Ed