Shostakovich Concerto No.2

[pianovlad1996]

I gave up from Chopin 1 because I do not have enough time to finish the first movement (1 month). I want to play something easier and I heard Shostakovich 2. Although seems more easy than the Chopin, I found it difficult and I think that I cannot finish it in only 1 month. A Mozart would be more difficult than a Shostakovich? Can you help me? If you have time can you write a list of concertos that are suitable for a 15 years old pianist?

[pianisten1989]

Age has nothing to do with it. And don't try to finish as fast as possible. A solo piece might work like that, but not a concerto.

However, Grieg A minor and any of the Mozart A major it probably the easiest.

[pianovlad1996]

No, but I have to play it in a competition. Grieg seems to be veeeeery hard. I think it's a work for students.

[pianisten1989]

But that's the great thing about it. It's not very hard. Ofc, there are some difficut parts, but it's like that in every concerto. But I think most people rank it as one of the easiest concertos (it's 10000000 times easier than the chopin)

[pianovlad1996]

I was scared about the cadenza and the fast descending semiquavers and arepggios. Also there are many passages that I can't reach with my small hands (not small but not big enough). I saw the sheet and died. There are extremely difficult passages in this concerto and I think it requires maturity. I am afraid I can't play it right and the competition is in 1 month. What should I do?

[pianovlad1996]

Shostakovich seems to be more easier technically. Grieg is great, big and for me hard. I gave up from Chopin because it was too hard for me. My teacher gave it to me... I can't play Chopin. Last year I played Liszt 1 and was a disaster. I took the 2nd place and I didn't know why.... I played plenty of wrong notes and I was so panicked that I lost the balance with the orchestra. It was easy for me when I played it alone in my room but when I was on scene..... It was a disaster.
PS: My teacher asked me if I want to play Grieg but I can't trust her anymore for what happened last year....

[pianisten1989]

Well, if you want to play something without any difficulty what-so-ever, you probably can't play anything... Sorry, but you can't find anything that hasn't got any difficulty.

And why do you start now, when it's only 1 month left?

[pianovlad1996]

I don't want to play something without any difficulty but I don't think I can play those fast arpeggios and that cadenza in Grieg. Shostakovich seems easier but I'm not sure about the musicallity. I started the Chopin in may and I thought I could play it but it's too much for me, probably even for a student... I heard somebody saying that he played the Shostakovich in one week but he didn't mention that he played it right on scene. And as you said, Grieg is more great and impressive... I am confused 

[aintgotnorhythm]

Not sure if it helps answer your question but a few months ago I saw a performance by Andrew Litton in which he played the Shostakovich 2nd and simultaneously conducted the orchestra. I haven't ever seen this happen with the Grieg!

[kitty on the keys]

How about Beethoven  1st mvt of the C
                                 1st  or 3rd of the Bb
                                   3rd   of the 3rd...c minor

Kitty on the keys

[gerryjay]

I agree with Pianisten: Grieg is considered by many the most manageable concerto (easy is a misnomer ). The main reason, I think, have nothing to do with difficult parts or the lack of them: it is an absolutely straightforward work, which presents no issues regarding the orchestra (I mean, the relation between piano and orchestra).

Best regards,
Jay.