Which Concerto Movement would be the best for me?

[celestialriceball]

As in quickest to learn? I don't want the easiest. I hate those kind of topics and I've just registered today. Which one would be the quickest one to learn in around 20 days? Let me provide more info:

The pieces I've played that I consider the most difficult in experience so far:

-Schumann Fantasiestücke Aufschwung
-Fantasie Impromptu
-Rachmaninoff Prelude in C Sharp Minor (I have this nearly perfect--it's just that the jump from the bottom C chord to top C chord is a little hard)
-Beethoven Sonata No.15 op.28 "Pastorale" Movements 1 and 2

And I'm currently going through Rachmaninoff Prelude Op 3. No 2 in G Minor.

I've been chosen to perform with an orchestra for one concerto that does not have to memorized. out of these (listed) movements (the movements listed are the ones I'm able to play):

 
1.  Mendelssohn Piano Trio in D minor (2,3,4 movements)
 
2.  Mozart No. 8,  KV246 (2,3 movements)
 
3.  Beethoven No. 3, in C minor (3 movements)
 
4.  Bach in F minor, BWV 1056 (3 movements)
 
5.  Saint Saen "le carnaval des animaux" (2 movements)
 
6.  Schumann in A minor (2,3 movements)

So, which one would be the best? I consider Romantic to by my forte, and I want to be able to play the one that would suit me the best within 20 days in terms of perfecting it. The time limit will make me work hard, I'm sure.

[bachbrahmsschubert]

I'm a little confused by your post. The title asks for concertos, though some listed are not concertos.

You list movements, are those the movements that you want to play? For example, Beethoven's 3rd concerto, you want to play the 3rd movement? I'm assuming yes, but just want to make sure. Also, the Saint-Saens is a suite with 14 movements. You're looking to just play 2? I don't recommend breaking the suite apart. In my opinion, it's like only playing the development section of a sonata. Then again, do what you want; my opinion in that matter is irrelevant.

Out of those selections, I am always biased towards Bach. You get so much out of performing his concertos, they are very overlooked works for piano and orchestra. Any movement of Beethoven's 3rd would also be good, as I detest Schumann's concerto; it is also very difficult.

Limiting yourself to 3 weeks to learn any piece of music is a bad practice habit. You should set goals for each individual practice session that are related to making progress in the music; never "I'll play this for 30 mins, then this for 30 mins" etc. If you rush the progress, you will only end up regretting it. If you set timed goals instead of progress goals, you will only end up cheating yourself. If you have a deadline, however, I wish you the best of luck.

Best wishes,

[celestialriceball]

Those are the ones I'm only able to play. And I'm on a time constraint due to notifications at the last minute, so I have to chose one movement out of all the above listed to play with an orchestra within 20 days. Yes, the timing is horrible. I don't usually plan my pieces like this.

[asiantraveller101]

Hello Celestialriceball,
I can understand your quandary, and moreover you do not want to miss this opportunity to play with an orchestra. 20 days is very short to master a concerto, even if it is just a movement. (But we have heard of pianists that could master a concerto while riding in a plane/train! I can't remember who they are atm) You did say in your reply to bachbrahmsschubert "those are the ones I'm only able to play". I would choose the one that you have worked on before, and really concentrate on the more difficult passages.
If you have not worked on any of them, IMO, the harder ones are Schumann, Bach and Beethoven. So, with that said, my vote goes to Saint-Saens.
Keep us posted on your choice and progress!