Concerto Suggestions

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Hi,
I am hoping to enter my school's concerto competition, and I am having trouble choosing a concerto. I'm a big fan of modern works, not too big a fan of romantic stuff or classical stuff. I'd like something slightly unknown, or at least not uber mainstream. I've played the Khachaturian Concerto and that was like gold to me. It was probably one of the most amazing pieces I've ever played. I'd like to find something, not necessarily the same style but as awe striking, (especially to add to the impression of the jury panel...).
I've thought of a few possibilities:

-Barber
-Rorem 2
-Bartok 1 or 3
-de Falla Noches en las jardines de Espana
-Schoenberg
-Ravel Left hand or G major

Let me know what you think...if you have any other suggestions

Cheers.

[retrouvailles]

I am somewhat surprised you know of Ned Rorem's 2nd concerto. It recently was revived by Simon Mulligan, and it only leaves one wondering why it was neglected for over 50 years. It has echoes of many concertos that came before it, such as the Ravel and Gershwin concertos. It is a real crowd pleaser in my opinion and should be played more. I would personally go for that one. It would definitely make an impression on the judges. It would surprise me to see such a great piano concerto come from a composer that is mainly known for writing art songs! It isn't really unheard of, either, considering that Julius Katchen played it, but it was only recorded recently after much anticipation. I would go for either that or the Barber.

[general disarray]

I am somewhat surprised you know of Ned Rorem's 2nd concerto. It recently was revived by Simon Mulligan, and it only leaves one wondering why it was neglected for over 50 years. It has echoes of many concertos that came before it, such as the Ravel and Gershwin concertos. It is a real crowd pleaser in my opinion and should be played more. I would personally go for that one. It would definitely make an impression on the judges. It would surprise me to see such a great piano concerto come from a composer that is mainly known for writing art songs! It isn't really unheard of, either, considering that Julius Katchen played it, but it was only recorded recently after much anticipation. I would go for either that or the Barber.

I can't believe that I'm in total agreement with this Sarah Palin fan, but there it is.  Rorem or Barber.  Especially Barber.  God knows why this piece is neglected.

[retrouvailles]

I can't believe that I'm in total agreement with this Sarah Palin fan, but there it is.  Rorem or Barber.  Especially Barber.  God knows why this piece is neglected.

More like, I can't believe I am in agreement with this dirty Obama-loving liberal. Do the Rorem or Barber. They won't do you wrong.

[j.s. bach the 534th]

I can't believe I'm agreeing with either of you, but the Rorem and Barber are good choices.

[retrouvailles]

Oh, and if you do the Rorem, let me know who publishes it. I have no clue who does, nor do I know where to get it, and I want a copy badly.

[fast_forward]

Yeah... I have to say I really do love the Rorem.
My teacher introduced me to him about a year ago with his Barcarolles. I then quickly moved to his first sonata (Which is also quite amazing). Then I happened to be looking in my school library for more of him and I found the score for the piano concerto. I'm really surprised that few people know of Rorem outside of art song. And this concerto in particular has been put aside to collect dust...

As for the publisher of the score...( I have a photocopy of the two piano reduction) I think its Southern Music Company. but I've looked and I can't find an actual score anywhere. If you happen to find where they might have some, let me know (I would rather have a real score over a photocopy)

But the Barber is also up there...
Man.. too many choice. If only I could just do them all...

[general disarray]

More like, I can't believe I am in agreement with this dirty Obama-loving liberal. Do the Rorem or Barber. They won't do you wrong.

Well, you don't have to be rude.  Calling me "dirty" is a typical GOP fascist technique.

By the way, the Dems are going to take this election.

I'll have the last laugh.   

Do the Barber.  It's actually a better concerto.

[communist]

The Ravel in G Major

[richard black]

I don't know that Rorem piece but I like all of his music I've heard and he's a good chap (I corresponded with him a few years ago), so go with that!

A lot of his music is published by Boosey and Hawkes, and they'll be able to help with anything they don't publish, in my experience.

[rob47]

Barber or Prokofiev 5

[burstroman]

I would suggest the Bartok 1 or Prokofiev 1 or 5.

[michel dvorsky]

More like, I can't believe I am in agreement with this dirty Obama-loving liberal. Do the Rorem or Barber. They won't do you wrong.

I love you, man. 

[mikey6]

What about Gerswhin Fmaj?
You could try the Strauss Burleske, it's not uber-romantic, although it does have a few lush themes - it's great fun and gives the timpanist a work out!

[fast_forward]

Who would you recommend for a recording of the Barber Concerto?

[retrouvailles]

Who would you recommend for a recording of the Barber Concerto?

Jon Kimura Parker with Yoel Levi or John Browning with George Szell. You can't get any better than those two.