First time playing a concerto: suggestions?

[vandermozart3]

I'm about to start a concerto, possibly only one movement. I've never played one before and so am not really sure about difficulty levels of all the beautiful ones I wish I could play.

Any ideas for works that are beautiful and interesting, but won't be totally out of my depth as a first timer? Suggestions would be much appreciated!

[j_menz]

Are you planning on just learning it or are you going to perform it? If performing, is it with an orchestra or with another piano?  Have you done any ensemble work before (accompanying singers, chamber music etc)?

Also, the fact that you are a concerto newbie doesn't actually tell us much about what you can/like to play; could you elaborate?

[vandermozart3]

Sorry, should have given more info

R.e. performing it- not sure as yet. I'll be playing it with just piano accompaniment though. The most ensemble work I've done is a few 4 hands piano works, and some choral accompaniment.

Style wise- anything! (Not very helpful I know.) Eastern European compositions have always fascinated me though; folky, full of character, etc. Being a big popular show piece means nothing to me, I'd rather something obscure and original than well-known and generic.

[j_menz]

How about one of the movements of the Shostakovich 1?

[evitaevita]

I'm about to start a concerto, possibly only one movement. I've never played one before and so am not really sure about difficulty levels of all the beautiful ones I wish I could play.

Any ideas for works that are beautiful and interesting, but won't be totally out of my depth as a first timer? Suggestions would be much appreciated!

I think you should try something from the baroque or the classical period.
-One of Bach's Keyboard Concertos (there are some transcriptions of his violin concertos for piano).
-Haydn's Piano Concerto in D Major (also, the Piano Concerto in G Major).
-Many of Mozart's Piano Concertos are considered to be "easy" (compared to other ones):
 No.9 (not so easy! but certainly one of my favourite, very Mozartian!), No.12, No.17 (beautiful and good for a starter), No.20, No.26
-Beethoven's 1st and 2nd Piano Concertos (for some pianists the easiest one is the 1st, while for others is the 2nd)

Style wise- anything! (Not very helpful I know.) Eastern European compositions have always fascinated me though; folky, full of character, etc. Being a big popular show piece means nothing to me, I'd rather something obscure and original than well-known and generic.

I can think only about romantic period's concertos, such as Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor (he's not Eastern European, but...). Of course, it is a technically demanding piece.

If you could give us more information about your level (I mean: pieces you can play, etc.), that would be really helpful!

Generally, you can try and listen to many concertos in order to find out which is the one that fits you best, as the difficulty level of its piece is subjective. But, in my opinion, you should play a piece that you like very much, because, in this case, your passion and love for the piece gives you the courage to practice it!

Good Luck!

Best regards,
Evitaevita

[49410enrique]

Kabalevsky No 3, oustanding concerto (one of my absolute favorites (of several) of all time amongst all concertos):

scores can purchased easily and inexpensively, and it is a fine concerto as a 'first' go, and also if you've done some before.
https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/Piano-Concerto-No-3-Op-50-Youth-Concerto/5810484

[chewbacha]

It would help a lot more if you could tell us your current repertoire!

[kitty on the keys]

What an exciting project!
Listen to lots of concerti!

Bach    f minor, d minor, E major
Haydn  D & G major
Mozart  F, G, A majors
Beethoven   1 C major
                   2 Bb
                   3 c minor---mvt 3
Kabalevsky   3rd
Shostokovitch  No. 2
Gershwin   Concerto in F

Have fun!

Kitty on the keys

[xiaoyuhuang43]

My first attempt at concerto playing is the first movement of Beethoven's Fourth. It is not very technically demanding but it is very musically fulfilling!

[thesixthsensemusic]

Apart from the aforementioned works (especially the Haydn ones would be ideal to start with), there's another few ideas I have for you;

I'd try the Grande Polonaise Brilliante of Chopin, it's meant for piano and orchestra but the solo part works on its own too. It also fits in with your preference for Eastern European stuff. Another work of his that would fit is the Krakowiak for piano and orchestra, even though that has a much more prominent orchestral part so you'd need someone to play these parts as a 2nd piano. It is extraordinary beautiful though.

Apart from that, there's also an one-movement concert piece by C.M. von Weber for piano and orchestra, and you have Szpilman's Concertino, lasting 12 minutes in total.

Or if you feel like it, try Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, as with the Grande Polonaise its solo part works on its own too, it's difficult yet doable for an advanced hobbyist.

Remember that, if you practice enough and in an efficient manner, you can work your way through the difficulties in virtually any piece, but with playing a concerto it's not just that, but it's also a matter of physical and mental stamina. Therefore one-movement works, or significantly easier ones than your 'maximum level' would be adviseable.

[celegorma]

My first attempt at a concerto is the first movement of Chopin F minor. Its rather hard but I chose it because, since I probably won't get to perform with an orchestra ever again, I want to learn something which is actually enjoyable to play alone. There are not many concertos like that, so it really depends on whether if you want to learn a concerto with the ultimate objective of playing with an orchestra or something you can play as a solo piece or with a string quartet. I think suggestions like Grand Polonaise or Rhapsody in blue are good. Both Chopin concertos can also definitely be played as solo pieces.

[mahlermaniac]

My first attempt at concerto playing is the first movement of Beethoven's Fourth. It is not very technically demanding but it is very musically fulfilling!

What a wonderful concerto!

[teosoleil]

What's your difficulty range?

The Grieg is always an amazing first option, which can be managed well if time is put into it. Technique isn't much of a problem--even though the first movement's Cadenza might sound difficult, it really boils down to octave technique, with interweaving arpeggios, and octaves combined with arpeggios, if you want to put it simply. The only other difficulty might be timing with the orchestra in the second movement (extreeeemeely beautiful, by the way), and the Quassi section of the third movement.

Beautiful concerto by a beautifully-gifted composer. Even Liszt enjoyed it!

[the89thkey]

I'd go with an easy Mozart, not Beethoven. 23 is a nice one.