Lyrical Romantic Piano Concerto

[darsh]

Hello, I'm thinking of picking up a romantic piano concerto. I am looking for something very expressive and lyrical with a clear hummable melody. I'd also love for the piano line to play a more active role than accompanying arpeggios.

I of course, know the greats, but I wouldn't want to touch something at, say, the Rach 3 level. Last year, I stumbled upon something I consider to be an absolute gem, Bortkiewicz's first piano concerto, and I'll never see a piano concerto the same way again. Playing it was a great deal of fun, with a lot of large, thick, Russian chords and a very inspiring finale. If you haven't heard of it, I'd highly suggest giving the first movement a listen.

Nonetheless, as I'm methodically going through Hyperion's "The Romantic Piano Concerto" looking for hidden gems (these recordings cover infrequently played works), I got a bit curious.

What are your most expressive romantic piano concertos? And I mean romanticism in its prime, with great, sweeping bravura--none of the more experimental stuff that came later. I'd appreciate any suggestions too on powerful concertos con fuoco that aren't at a world-class-performance level. I'm up for a challenge, though, so merely very difficult concertos are good too! (Tchaikovsky 1 is good, 2 is not, Rach 3 is not, nor is Prokofiev 2, etc). I'm looking specifically for concetos with heavy, powerful piano sections contrasting with lyric sections (orchestra or otherwise). In essence, a crowd-pleaser.

Thanks! My personal favorites are Rach 3 and Schumann's a minor. This might or might not have had anything to do with Argerich's absolutely fabulous interpretations .

Cheers,

[omar_roy]

Have you considered the Rach 2?  It's much more lyrical than the Rach 3, but still very difficult.  Also consider either of the Chopin piano concerti, though my preference is for the E Minor.

Schumann's A Minor is dull and pedantic.

[redbaron]

Schumann's A Minor is dull and pedantic.

Schumann's A Minor is elegant, lyrical and charming.

[franz_]

When reading the topic title I immidiatly think of Rach 2.  What about Grieg? Chopin? Brahms?

[thalbergmad]

The Schumann shite should not even be mentioned in a thread such as this. There is bugger all interest after the first few bars and the last movement is a repetitive boring ear strain. I would rather suffer from piles than listen to it again.

For the sweeping bravura style, I would submit that the Schytte PC probably contains a bit of everything that most would want in a romantic PC. For a shorter work the Dreyschock Conzertstuck contains enough bravura and glittering display to fill a hundred concert halls. Schumann and his stodgy trash pales into complete insignificance when compared with these two works.

Others in a similar vein would have to include the stupendous Rozycki 1st PC which is crying out for a commercial recording and the Borowski PC which is a bit like a Bortkiewicz/Rachmaninov sandwich with a sprinkling of Addinsell. The Boise PC has been on my piano for months and I cannot leave it alone. It kicks as much ass as the Moszkowski and the prospect of a recording along with the Conrath leaves me drooling.

The Hyperion series is probably nowhere near being halfway complete, not that it would be possible to do so as some hidden work will always surface, such as the Rufinatscha PC.

If I didn't have a hangover, I would prattle on for a few more paragraphs.

Thal

[redbaron]

The Schumann shite should not even be mentioned in a thread such as this. There is bugger all interest after the first few bars and the last movement is a repetitive boring ear strain.

 

You poor, naive thing 

[casioman]

I recently came across Emile Von Sauer PC No 1 and it is exactly as you describe, in particular the first movement. Great stuff. I can't stop listening to it.

The cavatina is also exquisite.

[darsh]

Ooo, thanks for the great replies! The Sauer and Schytte are both magnificent, and I hadn't heard of either of them before. While the Moszkowski sounded beautiful, the score might have intimidated me a little! I think I'll put a few more romantic concertos away before I give that an attempt.

I never really liked the Chopin concertos--I wouldn't be able to say why. They make for good listening, but it's just something I'd probably never consider playing. I don't think I'd want to play Grieg, since it's pretty much the Fur Elise of the PC world. I've considered Rach 2, as well, and it, along with Tchaikovsky's first, are probably what I'll turn to if I don't managed to find something off the beaten path.

I probably should have forseen that Schumann would have raised such a (one-sided) debate! Among my friends, it's pretty much the same, with one friend of mine and I holding out against, well, the rest. Ah well!

The Alnaes, Dusik, and d'Albert sound very nice, as well, although perhaps not as fiery as I'd hoped.

The Herz's sound like great fun to play--good showpieces! Anyone encountered these?

[noambenhamou]

I have to put it out there. Henselt piano concerto. Very chopinistic but if you don't want the chopin which is overplayed - justly - amazing.

[pocho]

Goetz II (

)

Ludwig Thuille

[retrouvailles]

Throw in another vote to bury the Schumann concerto and expunge it from the collective memories of musical minds everywhere. That piece should be the one languishing in obscurity while great concertos like the one thal mentioned are being played (semi)regularly.

[thalbergmad]

The Herz's sound like great fun to play--good showpieces! Anyone encountered these?

I would put Herz in the "fun" bracket. He makes no emotional demands & there is a certain freshness about his concerti, but they do seem to lack interesting themes. Not terribly difficult, but you would need a very agile right hand.

Others you might wish to consider are the Pabst PC ( a particualr fave of mine) and the Bronsart PC which is certainly in the sweeping majestic romantic tradition. Litolff is worth a look, but they are more lavishly orchestrated with the piano less prominent.

One day, someone is going to perform the Jaell 2nd and that will bring the roof down.

Thal

[remy]

One day, someone is going to perform the Jaell 2nd and that will bring the roof down.

Thal

I've never seen any of Marie's scores, but her Feuillet d'Album is gorgeous.


jeremy

[pbryld]

Any Liszt concerto...

I really like no. 2 in A minor.

[ahinton]

Any Liszt concerto...

I really like no. 2 in A minor.

I've always preferred it in the original A major, actually...

Best,

Alistair

[franz_]

I've always preferred it in the original A major, actually...

Best,

Alistair

haha

On the other hand, interesting to know and propose so many unknown concertos in this topic here, but may be we're a bit exagerating and neglecting the standard big concertos...

[ronde_des_sylphes]

Good to see the Henselt and von Bronsart being mentioned. 

I have a serious weakness for the second Liapunov concerto. Rach 1 is overshadowed by 2 and 3, but I still like it.

Countless others also fit the bill.

[noambenhamou]

Also John Field I find extremely lyrical. Mix between chopin and Mozart.
Supposedly, Field was the true inventory of the nocture. But who knows...

[sharon_f]

Scharwenka 4, Rubinstein 4, St. Saens 4 or 5, Franck Symphonic Variations.

[chopinaninoff]

Hey, I STRONGLY recommend Scriabin s Piano concerto. It is one of the most AMAZING works of music EVER written. It is lyrical, dramatic, beautiful, accessible, not too long, great role. Please listen to the full concerto, you will love it, I promise on Scriabin!

[thalbergmad]

For anyone interested in this genre, the box set released by Brilliant Classics is essential listening, albeit many of the recordings are not of the highest quality. Where else are you going to get 20CD's for about £30??

https://www.brilliantclassics.com/release.aspx?id=FM00000347#

In addition, the Danish piano concerto mini series by Danacord contains some belters & Oleg Marshev has more than enough pianistic equipment to ensure stunning displays.

https://www.danacord.dk/frmsets/maincat.html

Concertingly.

Thal

[retrouvailles]

I'll say one thing: those Scandinavians really know how to write a beautiful, lyrical piano concerto (you can even say that about some Scandinavian composers still writing piano concertos today). If you want a very lyrical piano concerto, check out the Atterberg piano concerto. It combines the best of Grieg, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff-like romanticism with some interesting harmonies that you wouldn't see in either composer's music. It isn't the most virtuosic piano concerto, but it is still a nice one.

[thalbergmad]

Indeed the Scandinavians did have a still have a lyrical gift.

I am a bit hooked on Englund at the moment and Mielck sends me into spasms.

Thal