Piano Concertos

[chopincrazy23]

Hello everyone,
     I noticed that I really enjoy Rachmaninoff's concertos and I really want to learn them, but I never actually played a concerto before. Obviously I can't just start right in playing a Rachmaninoff concerto the first time I learn a concerto, so does anyone have any suggestions on what concerto to start with?

[jayeckz]

I looked at your post history to get a better understanding of your level.

The fact is that if you have questions about learning Mendelssohn's Rondo Capriccioso you are at least 40 pieces away from even considering the concertos.  I'd say 99% of the people who should even consider learning the Rach 1/2/3/4 can easily sight read the Rondo Capriccioso for a polished performance.  If the student isn't at this level, it will take too long to get the notes to be justifiable.

I'll list pieces I'd recommend you learn and completely polish before attempting Rach's Rhapsody (which I consider the easiest of Rach's works for piano and orchestra):

-6+ Bach Preludes and Fugues
-3+ Mozart/Haydn Sonatas
-1+ Beethoven Sonata from each of his 5 periods (so at least 5 Beethoven Sonatas!)
-5+ misc short Chopin works such as Waltzes, Preludes, and Nocturnes
-8+ Chopin/Liszt Etudes
-5+ shorter major Chopin works such as the late Polonaises/Ballades/Scherzos
-5+ Rach Preludes
-5+ Rach Etudes
-2+ substantial major works by a romantic composer such as the Chopin Sonatas, Rach Sonatas/Variations, Liszt Sonatas, Schumann Sonatas, and Brahms Sonatas (I would suggest doing the Liszt B Minor, the Chopin 2, the Rach 2, and the Brahms 3).
-5+ Debussy Etudes
-5+ Debussy Preludes/shorter works such as Isle of Joy/Ravel shorter works (perhaps a movement from Mirroirs)

Seems like a lot, huh?  By this point, the Rondo Capriccioso will be virtually sight readable .  Also by this point, you should be able to judge whether or not

If you actually have the opportunity to play with an orchestra, I would suggest an easier Mozart/Haydn concerto for now.

[andreslr6]

-6+ Bach Preludes and Fugues
-3+ Mozart/Haydn Sonatas
-1+ Beethoven Sonata from each of his 5 periods (so at least 5 Beethoven Sonatas!)
-5+ misc short Chopin works such as Waltzes, Preludes, and Nocturnes
-8+ Chopin/Liszt Etudes
-5+ shorter major Chopin works such as the late Polonaises/Ballades/Scherzos
-5+ Rach Preludes
-5+ Rach Etudes
-2+ substantial major works by a romantic composer such as the Chopin Sonatas, Rach Sonatas/Variations, Liszt Sonatas, Schumann Sonatas, and Brahms Sonatas (I would suggest doing the Liszt B Minor, the Chopin 2, the Rach 2, and the Brahms 3).
-5+ Debussy Etudes
-5+ Debussy Preludes/shorter works such as Isle of Joy/Ravel shorter works (perhaps a movement from Mirroirs)

I agree with this, although I don't think it's necessary to learn ALL of this before you start learning any Rach concerto. I believe it's possible and prudent to attempt learning one of the less hard, like the 1st one, at the same time as you are learning some of the hardest pieces of that repertoire you mentioned (like the substantial major romantic works), or even before. Maybe even start with the concerto but with the intention to study it for at least 2 years while you fill the repertoire gaps and whatever else you need.

It's useful to once in a while attempt learning a piece that might not be at a level that one could easily grab right away. Being ambitious, if done carefully and with correct guidance, can result in a big push in one's level and skill, besides giving the advantage of getting to know that specific piece very well after being extra cautious because of the extra difficulty.

Of course, it would also be very unwise and foolish to learn one of the Rach as your first concerto, at least learn 1 classical concerto and 1 romantic before it, like jayeckz suggested, and of course have some Rach background in your repertoire, like 2+ of his preludes and 2+ of his etudes.

[chopincrazy23]

Thanks, but I didn't actually mean play a concerto by rach for my first time. I just meant what concertos should I play to get me used to playing them? And then once I advance I will take on the a rach concerto.