Should I learn Tchaikovsky 1?

[the89thkey]

I never actually learned this concerto and I'm wondering if it's worth it. What do you guys think? Tchaikovsky B-flat or not?

PS: finding an orchestra/conductor is not an issue. I also play all the Rachmaninov concertos so technique isn't either .

[andreslr6]

Why not learn some other not-so popular/known/played concertos instead?

Scriabin's F#minor, Prokofiev's 4th and 5th (this is my second favorite ), Barber's concerto, Schoenberg's, etc.? or 21th century concertos as well, there's a lot that's not being sufficiently played.

You already have big works on your repertoire that are great but super common, I don't think you necessarily need to play Tchaikovsky's 1st, although it would be great you learn it and have it in your repertoire! but I would prefer to buy a ticket to hear another less known concerto, fortunately you know the Rach 4.

[p2u_]

What do you guys think? Tchaikovsky B-flat or not?

Why not? Also have a look at his Concert Fantasy.

Paul

[the89thkey]

Interesting suggestions.
My concerto repertoire is very large already (all Rachmaninov, all Beethoven, both Brahms, Mendelssohn G minor, Ravel G major, a bunch of Mozarts, Haydns, a Bach, etc) but I have no Tchaikovsky yet. I may learn this concerto.
 

Why not learn some other not-so popular/known/played concertos instead?

Scriabin's F#minor, Prokofiev's 4th and 5th (this is my second favorite ), Barber's concerto, Schoenberg's, etc.? or 21th century concertos as well, there's a lot that's not being sufficiently played.

You already have big works on your repertoire that are great but super common, I don't think you necessarily need to play Tchaikovsky's 1st, although it would be great you learn it and have it in your repertoire! but I would prefer to buy a ticket to hear another less known concerto, fortunately you know the Rach 4.

Yes, I know Rach 1 as well which is also a lesser-known work. Mendelssohn and Brahms are underplayed as well.
I do not care for later 20th century music (Schoenberg, Barber, etc) so will not learn those most likely.

[the89thkey]

Update: I will be learning the concerto to perform with an orchestra this March. I will keep you posted on my progress.

[thesuineg]

I LOVE IT DO IT.
No but really the more you listen to it the more you like it. lucky you have more technique than me ): otherwise i'd totally play it

[thalbergmad]

Leave it alone would be my advice. It has already been squeezed of all of it's beauty and hacked to death by thousands of pianists since the bloody thing was written.

On top of that, it is actually rather boring and vastly inferior to the infrequently played 2nd.

Thal

[the89thkey]

It has already been squeezed of all of it's beauty and hacked to death by thousands of pianists since the bloody thing was written.

Thal

Only bad pianists, and I don't consider myself one of them...

[thesuineg]

Leave it alone would be my advice. It has already been squeezed of all of it's beauty and hacked to death by thousands of pianists since the bloody thing was written.

On top of that, it is actually rather boring and vastly inferior to the infrequently played 2nd.

Thal

I hope you'll agree that van cliburn doesn't do it well? at least for my tastes its just way too..percussive, at almost all times. Richter's is perfect tho

[p2u_]

I hope you'll agree that van cliburn doesn't do it well? at least for my tastes its just way too..percussive, at almost all times. Richter's is perfect tho

Although I'm generally crazy about Richter's art, I can't recommend his many renditions of the Tchaikovsky concerto. I'd rather say Emil Gilels is your man.

Paul

[the89thkey]

Although I'm generally crazy about Richter's art, I can't recommend his many renditions of the Tchaikovsky concerto. I'd rather say Emil Gilels is your man.

Paul

I love Argerich. Her technique is great and she misses no notes...since I'm learning it that's what I want to hear now.

[thesuineg]

Although I'm generally crazy about Richter's art, I can't recommend his many renditions of the Tchaikovsky concerto. I'd rather say Emil Gilels is your man.

Paul

But Richter's tone is the most beautiful thing everytime he does that modulating solo thingie in the 3rd movement. Gilels can't compare, though I might agree that his overall rendition is better

[zezhyrule]

Only bad pianists, and I don't consider myself one of them...

I doubt any pianist who attempts this piece considers themselves bad. Whether other people do or not, well that's a different issue.

[the89thkey]

This thread is turning into a replica of the other one on my Tchaikovsky...