Concertos...

[ludwig]

I was wondering what concertos have you played and what did you think of them. I have played a few concertos, Mozart, Grieg, Mendelssohn, Beethoven. I'm currently having a look at the Schumann a min. Has anyone played or heard this concerto? I had a look and it didn't seem difficult, or am I absolutely wrong about this? :p also, tossing about between Beethoven's 3rd and this concerto for a concert. What do you think. Thanks for the input.

[goodasgould]

I would definitely go for the Beet. 3...if only because there are alot of interesting cadenzas for that concerto...Eugene D'Albert, for example....

[Diabolos]

Well,

I don't have too much experience with piano concertos, but I played Beethoven 3+4, a few by Mozart, Schumann and Grieg and I'm currently working on Brahms 2 and Prokofieff 3.

Schumann might not look too difficult, but it's still Schumann   Though it's certianly more difficult than Beethoven 3 (ok, it's two different techniques, therefore hardly comparable), I think you should go for it - the technical difficulties, the strong dialogue with the orchestra and it's tension, the huge amount of expression make it a wonderful concerto; and the cadenza isn't bad, either.
Only it's length gave me a hard time - memorizing took me quite a while.

I don't know if that helps you out.

Regards  

[ludwig]

Thanks guys. I'm giving them both a go and letting the judging panel decide what they want to hear and to be played with the orchestra. Although, I really like Schumann, with his wonderful lyrical and unpredictable key altering melodies, he isn't as daring with his musical ideas as Beethoven is. Also, goodasgould, why do you recommend the Beethoven? Beside the different interesting cadenzas. I'm curious. I've had some recommendations on both sides for this. The question is really, can be compare concertos, and as a whole, can we ever have an agreed statement of what is more "performable" and show-offy.

[Diabolos]

There's certainly more in Beethoven's concerto than just the cadenzas (which are really nice, as a matter of fact).
The whole piece marks a shift in B's way of composing; he starts leaving the path of traditional block concertos, expands the form of a movement and prepares the way for experiments that would finally lead to the concerto that's now known as 'the emperor'.

Personally, I consider the 3rd one my favorite of the Beethoven concertos; it's a very well-thought out piece that reflects both his emotional being and his strong mind as a composer.

[Sergey]

Hi,Ludwig.I am Russian so sorry for my English.You know Schuman piano concerto is one of the most difficult pieces ,couse it is so delicated.Its really hard to play the FINAL for examle ,and  not to loos an architecture,do you know what I mean?Oh ,yes ,Schuman is Schuman and I think the first thing to note is the STRUCTURE(Svjatoslav Rihters word).And its very important-Schumans romantic  intention,do you know what I mean?thank you ,Sergey.

[Diabolos]

Hi - I just remembered another great concerto to play (I know, that doesn't really work since the pieces are already selected,) - but if you ever have enough time, play the Gershwin piano concerto. It's more difficult than most people expect, and it is great music; one feels a little bit reminded of Chopin when listening to his harmonies..
it's just a thought, and since Gershwin over here's part of the standard repertoire..  

Regards

[Colette]

here are some little played, great concertos: howard hanson's concerto in g major-- the rhythmic interplay between soloist and orchestra is amazing. barber's concerto op. 38--my favorite, beautiful melodies...and aaron copland's concerto in one movement for piano-- very jazzy, composed a few years after gershwin's rhapsody.