What is your favourite Russian Piano Concerto?

[point of grace]

Prokofieff's 3rd

and by the way, i will listen to Rubinstein 4th, i heard people say it is a great russian masterpiece. what do you think?

[retrouvailles]

Prokofiev's 3rd is great, but it isn't the best, in my opinion. I could make a very long list of various Russians' accomplishments, for they have excelled at writing piano concertos. Rubinstein did write some good piano concertos, and I would say that the 3rd and 4th are the best of them. I wouldn't put Rachmaninoff's concertos in that list, simply because I think they are more Hollywood and virtuosity than substance, even though they are nice to listen to. However, I would put Tchaikovsky's 2nd up there also. Going in another direction, I would also put Schnittke's Piano Concerto from 1960 and his Concerto for Piano and Strings up there, for both pieces are quite moving pieces, the first one being quite similar to Shostakovich or Prokofiev and the second one a very dark work.

[weissenberg2]

I would put the Medtner concerti up their.

[thalbergmad]

Bortkiewicz 1 and Arensky for me. Gartnokh is impressive as well but has not been recorded.

I expect Babin 2 is a blast, but i have not heard it.

Thal

[smithreeseii]

Rachmaninoff No. 2

[eminemvsrach]

Rach 3 is my favourite =]

[smithreeseii]

I really like it, but nothing beats 2 for me.

[prongated]

RACH 3!!!

[thoven_liszt]

I have to say the Rach 3 with the BEASTLY cadenza (recorded by Berezovksy) was awe inspiring.

[wert718]

Rachmaninov no. 2

[birba]

Prokofiev 2nd.

[ahinton]

I could make a very long list of various Russians' accomplishments, for they have excelled at writing piano concertos.

I have no doubt either that you could or that they have.

I wouldn't put Rachmaninoff's concertos in that list, simply because I think they are more Hollywood and virtuosity than substance

What - even nos. 1 and 4?...

Best,

Alistair

[gyzzzmo]

I wouldn't put Rachmaninoff's concertos in that list, simply because I think they are more Hollywood and virtuosity than substance, even though they are nice to listen to.

Sounds like an obvious case of 'somebody heard something too often'.

[retrouvailles]

Sounds like an obvious case of 'somebody heard something too often'.

Nope, sorry, not quite.

I have no doubt eithe r that you could or that they have.
What - even nos. 1 and 4?...

Not No. 4. That one I could not hear enough times.

[richard black]

Possibly a little unkind to label Rach's concertos as 'Hollywood', not to say anachronistic, since the 3rd was written in 1909, the 1st and 2nd obviously earlier, and the first film shot in Hollywood was made in 1911.

As usual with these 'favourite' polls, I'm not sure what my answer should be, but it's definitely _not_ Rimsky-Korsakov. Or Glazounov.

[retrouvailles]

Possibly a little unkind to label Rach's concertos as 'Hollywood', not to say anachronistic, since the 3rd was written in 1909, the 1st and 2nd obviously earlier, and the first film shot in Hollywood was made in 1911.

Whoever said that my comments were to be taken seriously?!

[richard black]

Whoever said that my comments were to be taken seriously?!

Far be it from me, dear sir - but I couldn't resist!
 

[mudbucket]

Rach 2. It's not just my fav Russian, it's one of my overall faves.

[lisztrachmaninovfan]

Nope, sorry, not quite.

Not No. 4. That one I could not hear enough times.

Not No.4? That was one is way underplayed and often underlooked by many people. It's a wonderful work that shows Rachmaninoff's later and more complicated styles.

[retrouvailles]

Not No.4? That was one is way underplayed and often underlooked by many people. It's a wonderful work that shows Rachmaninoff's later and more complicated styles.

That's what I meant. Perhaps you misinterpreted my statement. I basically agree with you.

[pianowolfi]

Rach 3. Still.

[pradeep200417]

Rubinstein's 4th
Medtner's 1st and 2nd,

[point of grace]

Rubinstein's 4th
Medtner's 1st and 2nd,

so you heard rub 4th... why is it your favourite? im just curious

[pianoplayjl]

Rachmaninoff's 3rd and Tchaikovsky's 1st.

[mozartk365]

Rach 3

[pianoplayjl]

wait, there's also Prokofiev's 2nd and Medtner's in c minor.