PianoConcert

[lizz93]

Dear Friends,

As any devoted (student)pianist, I'd like to try- no do a piano concert. Reason for this is that I might get a break with a youth orchestra, if I-of course- present a concerto. This is my first try, but I don't know which to choose!

Some hints:
- I have petite hands ( )
- Some recent works include: Liszt Liebestraum nr. 3, Debussy-Claire de Lune, Rach Prelude op 23 nr. 3 & op 3 nr. 2, Mozart Sonata K309-Allegro, Brahms Cappricio op 76 nr. 1, Bach Italian Concerto M1 & M2; Bach  2-part Invention nr. 1, 8,9, Prokofiev Visions Fugutive nr. 15.

Thanking you in advance...
Lizzy

By the way, forgot something: I'm currently working on Chopin's 3rd Ballad, Schumman's Kinderszenen op 15 (as alternation to the heavy Chopin) and a Cramer etude..

[pianist7]

Although the Romantic concertos are difficult, I would recomend one of Rachmaninoff's for you. The Grieg is also very nice, along with Tchaikovsky's first, i think. All are easy to enjoy, musically. Good luck!

[imbetter]

Given your repertoire I would go with Mozart.

[perfect_pitch]

Given your repertoire I would go with Mozart.

Or maybe an easy Beethoven Concerto? No. 1 in C and No. 3 in c minor???

Might be better.

[nanabush]

I'm in the same boat as you; I've been playing lots of different stuff, but haven't touched a concerto in my life - I blame the place where I took lessons, and the lack of space for two pianos in one room 

I've heard that Mozart is a good starting point.  IMSLP has all of them I think, take a look (and have a listen on youtube).

[thalbergmad]

Stamitz, Wagenseil and Vanhal are good alternatives for a first concerto.

Two of them are still in print, but i cannot remember which ones.

Thal

[franz_]

I think the advice of Rachmaninoff or Tchaikovsky isn't that smart if I see your repertoire.
I think any Mozart, Bach, Beethoven 1 or 2 are good choices if you want to play the whole concerto. I don't know if you can play only a first mouvement?
But have a look at the one of Grieg or Schumann. And why not give Rhapsody in Blue a try?

[lizz93]

Thanks a LOT for all YOUR WONDERFULL SUGGESTIONS!
It surely cleared the fog...Indeed, I'd ought to play a whole concert..at least

Lizzy

[learner of liszt]

On Concertos, I'd suggest starting with a one movement piece. Totentanz is very flashy and dark, but might be a bit too difficult (you might want to look at the score and see, it's on IMSLP). Also, a lot of Gershwin is fun, recognizable, and not too difficult. If you really want something 3-movement, Gershwin's Concerto in F is probably not too difficult. Mozart is always a good starting point, and some of the less dfficult Bach concertos. If you want to do a piece that is perhaps a bit too difficult for you, study some other, smaller works by that composer, as this might better help you understand their style. Oh, and please, please, please don't try the Rach 3. Don't end up as one of those "I just learned Fantasie Impromptu, I can handle anything!" people.

One last thing I forgot to mention, is that it might be worth your while to try some less main-stream concertos and see if you find anything new and exciting.

[thalbergmad]

But have a look at the one of Grieg or Schumann.

Indeed, please look at them but don't play them.

The World does not need any more performances.

Thal

[lizz93]

you're right...these concerto's are nice, but they're waaayyy  overplayed, someting new, or not so known-as learner of liszt said- would be a good start too

Lizzy

[aslanov]

Hey, i have some suggestions

firstly, mozart has already been suggested, and i'd recommend going with No. 20 or No. 12 ( I love no. 20)

secondly, beethoven's 1st and 2nd, definitely not overplayed pieces

thirdly, Shostakovich's 2nd piano concert

if your up for the challenge, 4thly, Liapunov's Rhapsody on a Ukranian theme

5thly, mendelssohn's 2nd concerto

and FINALLY, I would love it if you would choose to perform Thalberg's Piano concerto. Add a much needed recording to PS of this piece.

[imbetter]

Hey, i have some suggestions

firstly, mozart has already been suggested, and i'd recommend going with No. 20 or No. 12 ( I love no. 20)

secondly, beethoven's 1st and 2nd, definitely not overplayed pieces

thirdly, Shostakovich's 2nd piano concert

if your up for the challenge, 4thly, Liapunov's Rhapsody on a Ukranian theme

5thly, mendelssohn's 2nd concerto

and FINALLY, I would love it if you would choose to perform Thalberg's Piano concerto. Add a much needed recording to PS of this piece.

Shostakovitch 2 would be a great start.

[lizz93]

I have been searching for the Shostakovitch and Gershwin, but I can't find them...IMSLP DOES HAVE Gershwin,  but it's temporarily blocked due to copyright issues



 

[nikolasideris]

Most of the concertos proposed here seem out of reach for you Lizzy, I'm afraid... Based on what you said on your program, Grieg, Schuman, Rach, Shostakovich, etc, are mostly out of reach (maybe shost 2 not so much).

A "safer bet" is always the Mozart concertos and the Beethoven 1st (in C MAJOR, not minor).

Another idea would be to attempt one of the very beautiful and rather accessible concertos of Kabalevsky (3rd is for children and I do know there is a 2 piano version, for studying purposes), and also the 4th for piano and strings which is rather "easy" technically, but also extremely beautiful.

[lizz93]

Of course....I've already been thinking of these Mozart Concertos after all the suggestions. But I'd also wanted to take a look at Shostakovitch...see how it's build up, etc.
That suggestion of Kabalevsky I'll sure take along too

[pianist7]

I'm listening to the Kabalevsky "Your" concerto--very interesting.

[thalbergmad]

I would not play the "Your" concerto.

I would play Mozart "Corporation" concerto or Beethoven "General" concerto.

They are much better songs.

Thal

[imbetter]

Indeed, please look at them but don't play them.

The World does not need any more performances.

Thal

They may be frequently played concerti but there's a reason for that: they are great pieces.


PS: the Schumann doesn't really seem that overplayed?

[kitty on the keys]

Mozart  F or G major concerti
Kabalevsky Youth #3
Gershwin  Concerto in F
Bach d minor
Beethoven   2, 1, 3

Kitty on the Keys

[thalbergmad]

They may be frequently played concerti but there's a reason for that: they are great pieces.


PS: the Schumann doesn't really seem that overplayed?

1. There could be another reason. People don't know any better.
2. Once is overplayed for that refuse.

Thal

[richard black]

Hi Lizz,

Given your solo repertoire, don't even think about any of the big romantic concertos, they'll just take years of work and depress you. Also bear in mind that if you offer an obscure concerto you are likely to find yourself responsible for finding the orchestral parts and conductor's score. That may not be an impossible task at all but it might cost money! Mozart's concertos and those of Haydn well be within your grasp and that of the orchestra and it won't be hard to get hold of the parts.

[imbetter]

1. There could be another reason. People don't know any better.
2. Once is overplayed for that refuse.

Thal

Have you ever heard Glazunov 1? if not I would I would strongly recommend it. It's an amazing concerto and rarely sees the light of day.

[lizz93]

To Richard Black: You're right..I've already been thinking of it...
I'm currently reviewing the Mozart Concertos they suggested, as wel as the Shostakovitch..Which isn't that technically complicated as Schumman, Chopin etc..

Greetings,
Lizz

[thalbergmad]

Have you ever heard Glazunov 1? if not I would I would strongly recommend it.

I probably heard it before you were born laddie

Thal

[thalbergmad]

To Richard Black: You're right..I've already been thinking of it...
I'm currently reviewing the Mozart Concertos they suggested, as wel as the Shostakovitch..Which isn't that technically complicated as Schumman, Chopin etc..

Greetings,
Lizz

There are some publishers who sell full scores of unusual concertos at very respectable prices, so you do not have to go down the "normal" route.

A-R Editions, have published concerti by Steffan and Schaffrath that are worth considering.
https://www.areditions.com/

Thal

[lizz93]

Thanks Thal!