worst orchestration in a piano concerto

[communist]

the Arensky Piano Concerto.....

[jabbz]

Chopin maybe.

[healdie]

Chopin maybe.

Yes Yes and Thrice yes

[frank_48]

Yes Yes and Thrice yes

when i saw this thread title, i imagined someone saying chopin, just like from a previous thread i heard that someone said chopins concertos wernt that great, but..why? whats wrong with them?

[communist]

when i saw this thread title, i imagined someone saying chopin, just like from a previous thread i heard that someone said chopins concertos wernt that great, but..why? whats wrong with them?

the orchestration 

[pianisten1989]

I don't see anything wrong with the orchestration... Please tell me what it is

[communist]

I don't see anything wrong with the orchestration... Please tell me what it is

he uses like just violins 

[healdie]

the orchestration in the Chopin Concertos is dull and lifeless and the orchestra plays no interesting parts at all I bet Orchestras weep when they are told they will be playing one

If you want to hear some great Orchestration listen to some Richard Strauss, Wagner, or Ravel

[communist]

well they are PIANO concerti 

[kelly_kelly]

well they are PIANO concerti 

Perhaps, but if you have a full orchestra at your disposal, you might as well do something interesting with it, instead of letting one instrument make ALL the music.

[jabbz]

The Chopin concerti are wonderful, but really, there is no imagination re the orchestral parts. It seems like the orchestral parts could nearly be removed completely and still be left with a similar effect.

[communist]

The Chopin concerti are wonderful, but really, there is no imagination re the orchestral parts. It seems like the orchestral parts could nearly be removed completely and still be left with a similar effect.

agreed

[Bob]

I've heard about Chopin.

Schumann for doubling too much.

And there is a spot in a Beethoven piano concerto that has a 10th writing out in a way that something is going to be noticably out of tune.  Something like strings playing a low note, oboe sustains a long pitch (in tune), and then the piano comes in (and isn't going to be the same pitch as the oboe).

[theory_guy]

Why does everyone speak in generalities? If you're going to knock something or pump something up, give reasons for it. And by the way, "he uses like just violins" is not solid reasoning.

One should be able to orchestrate well before they comment on the quality of another's orchestration. So, whoever writes next, post an orchestration of a short piano excerpt that you've done yourself, otherwise it's all smoke and mirrors. I'm sorry if I seem like a douche, but those kinds of empty statements really get to me.

[communist]

Why does everyone speak in generalities? If you're going to knock something or pump something up, give reasons for it. And by the way, "he uses like just violins" is not solid reasoning.

One should be able to orchestrate well before they comment on the quality of another's orchestration. So, whoever writes next, post an orchestration of a short piano excerpt that you've done yourself, otherwise it's all smoke and mirrors. I'm sorry if I seem like a douche, but those kinds of empty statements really get to me.

[theory_guy]

Ya, I've heard the piece before, thanks. What's the point of posting youtube links? Say something about it.

[healdie]

One should be able to orchestrate well before they comment on the quality of another's orchestration. So, whoever writes next, post an orchestration of a short piano excerpt that you've done yourself, otherwise it's all smoke and mirrors. I'm sorry if I seem like a douche, but those kinds of empty statements really get to me.

Great orchestration should stand out and anyone could spot flaws in things anyone can spot poor or boring writing without been able to write better

the public are the best critics so your saying if I don't like a Painting by Picasso I should keep my comments to myself until I can paint it better?

[theory_guy]

Great orchestration should stand out and anyone could spot flaws in things anyone can spot poor or boring writing without been able to write better

the public are the best critics so your saying if I don't like a Painting by Picasso I should keep my comments to myself until I can paint it better?

The public are not the best critics. Examples abound - Beethoven's late quartets spring to mind. In any case, the truth about the Chopin concerti is that the orchestration is adequate, but it is not wonderful. The point is that the orchestration isn't horrible by any means, and anyone with a solid musical craft can see that.

[arensky]

the Arensky Piano Concerto.....

 

[general disarray]

The public are not the best critics. Examples abound - Beethoven's late quartets spring to mind. In any case, the truth about the Chopin concerti is that the orchestration is adequate, but it is not wonderful. The point is that the orchestration isn't horrible by any means, and anyone with a solid musical craft can see that.

Thanks!  You Chopin concerti bashers need to have your heads examined for inflated self-regard.

The nerve. 

[communist]

Thanks!  You Chopin concerti bashers need to have your heads examined for inflated self-regard.

The nerve. 

to bad i have no respect for the miserable composer and the pieces

[thalbergmad]

I do not see a problem with the orchestration of the Chopin Concerti myself. It was typical of its time and suitable for his purpose.

Many concerti written during the early part of the romantic era gave prominance to the piano (Herz, Burgmuller, Kalkbrenner, Pixis, Thalberg, Weber and Moscheles to a slightly lesser degree). With some, the orchestra was almost reduced to a background.

As the 19th century progressed the balance changed.

I would be more worried about concerti with poor piano parts.

Thal