Mendelssohn - Piano concerto nº 1

[takeo]

Hello!

The orchestra where I play has offered me the possiblity of playing a piano concerto (only one movement, not the whole concerto).
It's the first time I play with an orchestra as a soloist, but it doesn't frighten me.
I have talked with my teacher, but he says I should play one of the earliest mozart piano concertos (nº 1-7).
He says it's really difficult to coordinate with the orchestra, but I have played solos before (Life is beautiful, for example) and I don't find it so difficult.
I wanted to play some more flashy concerto than Mozart (I find him a bit boring), and the "easiest" romantic concerto I have found is Mendelssohn's number 1.
I have listened it following the score and it's difficult, but I think I can play it, maybe not at Serkin's tempo, but I think I can do my own (slower) version.

As a guide, I'm playing currently for a competition:

-Saint-Saens: Allegro appassionato op. 70
-Granados: Allegro de Concierto
-Bach: Prelude and Fugue 3 Vol. I

My teacher wants me to play for an audition next year:

-Liszt's Rigoletto transcription from Verdi's opera.
-Beethoven's sonata op. 22
And I will mantain Granado's Allegro de Concierto.

What do you think?
I'll post my interpretations in two weeks or so, so you can see how I play.

Thank you in advance!

[bleicher]

I don't have enough knowledge to comment on the repertoire, but I think the reason that a lot of pianists find it difficult to keep together with an orchestra is that they don't normally play in an orchestra or watch a conductor. However, you do play in an orchestra, so I expect you won't have as much problem as pianists who don't play in an orchestra.

[becky8898]

Go talk to your conductor.  Im sure you will get an answer right away. NO way the conductor will let the orchestra step into a disaster. If your conductor gives you the go ahead your fine. If not , well then do what your piano teacher says and stick with the Mozart. 

Cheers, Becky