Concerto selection..

[dozapp]

Well, next year I will be a senior (highschool) and my goal for piano as of entering highschool was to play a concerto my senior year (for a concerto concert) The auditions is september 2009 and the preformance would be in march 2010, but i would need to have it memorized and well learned by the audition.  Only 1 movement, and if its more than 10 minutes long it will be cut.

To give you a idea of my skill level I am currently learning Appasionata movement 1 and Chopin Scherzo 2.  I am estimating around 3 months to learn them, 4-5 to make them concert worthy.

My first intention was to play Gershwin 1, movement 3, but our orchestra teacher said we didnt have enough brass or woodwinds.  I followed this up with, that means i cant play ravel either then? and she was like, no.

So my favorite 2 concertos are out.  I also would like the concerto to be easier then what I am normally playing because I think the concerto expierence will be more difficult (timing, execution, pressure).  Could you suggest single movments which you think I could technically handle, are preferably 10 minutes or less, and the orchestra parts are not wind heavy ( they dont have to be orchestrated for only strings, just without heavy wind parts). Also take into consideration that this is my first concerto.

[pianisten1989]

A mozart concerto would probably work... Uhm.. I don't think no 21 is that hard, neither is 20.. The ppl I know,  except myself, played the 21 as the first concerto.I played the Emperor Concerto, but thats a bit too hard for first concerto.

[teresa_b]

Look at Mozart 14 (K449)--can do with strings, 2 horns and 2 oboes --it is quite short, not too difficult, and very interesting--either first or third mvt. 

Also, Mozart 23 (K488) is beautiful--it requires one flute and 2 bassons as well, but that's all.  Not sure about length of first mvt--it could be a tad more than 10 minutes, but not much.  The third movement is less than 10 min. 

Beethoven 1, third mvt may be less than 10 min, and is fabulous!

Schumann first mvt would be lovely too. 

[dozapp]

I looked at all your suggestions, thanks btw, and i really liked Mozart 20/1 and /2, and Beethoven 1/3.

I also looked into Beethoven 2/3, 4/3, and Shosty 2/1.
I know 4/3 is harder but do you guys think its ok for a first, in any case i like beethoven 1/3 the best from all of these movements, I will ask my orchestra teacher on monday and my piano teacher on our lesson on thursday.  Thanks for all your suggestions and I am open to more suggestions.

I dont know about Schumann 1, looks pretty hard  

Also , how hard is Tchaikovsky 1/2.

[teresa_b]

I have performed Beethoven 1 and 4, as well as worked on Schumann.  It may not seem so, but B4 is much more difficult than 1 in every respect.  Beethoven 4 is more difficult than Schumann 1st movement, in my experience. 

I haven't played any Tchaikovsky but I think they are the most difficult of all you listed.

If your gut reaction is Beethoven 1, 3rd mvt--go for it!   

Teresa