Chopin 1st or 2nd Piano Concerto?

[shubertimproviz]

I have listened both Chopin's piano concertos, and I like both of them. They are both difficult in technique passages and musicality. I want to start one of them but I don't know which one to choose. Which of them is less challenging?

[scott13]

I've looked at both, never in great detail however, as my Beethoven concerto work is taking priority.

However, from having a read through in my opinion the easiest of the two is the F minor concerto, but not by much. In short they are both hugely demanding works, and I wouldn't advise starting either of them unless you have already studied many of Chopin's difficult solo works.

Perhaps start by looking at the 2nd movement of this concerto, it's absolutely beautiful and not overly technically difficult.

Which ever concerto you chose, I would learn the movements in the order 2,1,3 as both the Chopin concertos seem to follow that difficulty pattern (in my opinion).

[shubertimproviz]

Thanks for your advice, I will start the 2nd one.

[grandstaff]

Good choice, the second movement of the second concerto is beautiful.

[symphonicdance]

May I add a silly opinion?  Take a look at Balakirev's Romanza.  It's a transcription of the 2nd movement of Chopin's 1st concerto. Beautiful.

Sample score for (piano solo)
https://classicscore.hut2.ru/B.html (directed from www.scorser.com)
Pick No. 3281

Sample live recordings on Youtube:
(i)

(ii)