Piano Concerto?

[yodaofpiano]

Hi,

This is my first post, so sorry if it's awkward and lengthier than what most are used to! I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a piano concerto I could start this year. Pieces that I have played recently are the first movement of the Tempest, Chopin Ballade No.1, Debussy Voiles Prelude, Baba Yaga from Pictures at an Exhibition, Ravel Oiseaux Tristes, and Chopin Black-Keys. I am now working on Chopin Ballade No.3, Reflections in the Water, Prokofiev Toccata, and the First movt of the Les Adieux. My teacher and I both agree that I should work on a Romantic, Early or Late, Piano concerto. Mozart isn't out of the question, but because I most likely am not going to be a professional pianist later on, we feel that it's not too important to get that repertoire into my fingers; I'm not a fan of Mozart at all anyway, no offense. . How difficult is the Mendelssohn G minor compared to the Schumann and Chopin No.1, both technically and emotionally? I enjoy all three of these pieces and I'd love to be able to learn at least one of them. Thanks.  

[bachbrahmsschubert]

Welcome to the forums!

Concertos seem to be a hot topic lately. Take what you read here ONLY as suggestions, LISTEN to your teacher. We cannot properly guide you towards correct repertoire based on what you have played/are currently playing; only your teacher knows what your fingers and mind are capable of.

With that said, to your question.

Both Mendelssohn concertos require incredibly fast fingers. Schumann is uncomfortable to play and not very rewarding, in my opinion. Chopin is more than worth it, though also very difficult. Based on what you've played, I don't think you're ready for either Chopin concertos or most romantic era concertos. If you are brave enough/love it enough, why not give the Schumann a run for it's money (or your sanity)?

I would also suggest Beethoven 1, 2 or 3; avoid 4 and 5 for now. Clara Schumann also has a piano concerto in A minor. Johan Hummel, Edward Macdowell....there are many concertos/composers that are overlooked. Macdowell's first (he wrote two) is one of my favorites, take a look at it. It's very difficult, but more enjoyable than anything Schumann can conjure. All my opinion, of course.  

Best wishes,

[yodaofpiano]

Hey
Sorry I should have specified that I'm not going to consider aany late piano concertos. I dont even knw why I put that in my initial post; I think anything from Grieg to Shostakovich will be too difficult for me. I never really thought about it before but I think that I will now consider some of the Beethoven concertos. Thanks for all the suggestions.

[petzzo]

I certainly wouldnt recommend the schumann concerto. Yes, it is very rewarding for your technique, but not for the audience. You can do a much greater impression with a lot easier concerto. Schumann has a lot of difficult figurations and it is also a bit difficult to get it into memory.

The mendelssohn concerto is considered the one of the best to start with

[prok_2]

You should maybe have a look at some of Mendelssohn's single mvt works for piano and orchestra which are easierthan the concertos but still impressive and very rewarding. The first concerto I ever played was Mendelssohn's Capriccio Brillante Op. 22. That is really something worth looking into! 

[cjcarrington97]

I would also suggest Beethoven 1, 2 or 3; avoid 4 and 5 for now.

I believe this is a good start, possibly the 1st concerto, it's not as hard as the rest, but I find a little more interesting than the 2nd.
Furthermore, it's a shame you don't like Mozart, but I would try the Piano concerto 20. It is fairly easy to sight read. And it is argued as the first 'romantic'.