Which Chopin is harder...e minor concerto or b-flat minor sonata?

[yohankwon]

What are/is your opinion(s)?

I already learned the sonata, which took me 3-4 months to master. I want to plan ahead to see how much it will take for the concerto.

[lojay]

It would probably take me at least that long just to get the notes with dedicated practice on the piece!  Actually, I think I'll start learning this from tomorrow, let's see how long it take!

I can generally judge a piece's difficulty reading through the piece.  Since you're at a level where you can master the Sonata in 3-4 months, I'd assume you'd be able to do the same, no?

I think it'd be best if you spend an hour or so (I'm sure you'd do it in less than an hour though!) reading through the work and coming to your own conclusions.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Hmmm...

I'm not well versed in Chopin, but considering.  You have a whole orchestra to worry about, I'd say it's harder.

Well some people would say that the concerto is easier because since you have an orchestra behind you, you can get away with losing some detail. 

[complexpiano]

A friend of mine played the 1st mvt of the b-flat minor sonata, she said that the e-minor concerto was more difficult as a whole due to the amount of music and additionally, the coordination of the orchestra or 2nd piano accompaniment, which ever is at your disposal. Although I have not played the sonata, I am currently learning the concerto, although technique or note wise, it isn't the most difficult piece, it's still a force to be reckoned with. In my opinion, the concerto is like a really long Chopin sonata with an orchestra.

[sirpazhan]

which took me 3-4 months to master.

no such thing as mastering a piece.. you'll always be a student.

[mjames]

I'm sorry but if you're asking this I don't think you're ready to play either...

[yohankwon]

I'm sorry but if you're asking this I don't think you're ready to play either...

Read the post again. I already learned the sonata.

no such thing as mastering a piece.. you'll always be a student.

...debatable, but I know what you're saying

[mjames]

Forgive my skepticism, but a pianist who claims to have mastered the b flat minor Sonata in a matter of months should be able to the determine the question at hand without consulting an online public forum...

Sorry that I don't really believe that you can play the sonata.

I'd be more than happy if you proved me wrong.

[lojay]

Perhaps he's mastered it from a student's perspective?  He's got those notes down.

@OP: I do think a recording is in order.  At least post the exposition!

[wwalrus]

I want to plan ahead to see how much it will take for the concerto.

It seems like the few posts above me are trying to go on a tangent which really isn't pertinent to the original goal of this post- to determine the jump between the sonata and the concerto. You guys are so interested in saying that the OP can't play the sonata- based on what? His question is genuine, and there is no need for you to judge whether or not he can play the sonata.

Be aware of whether your posts are relevant to the information the OP is seeking. Although I don't  I don't support the idea of "ignorance is bliss," in this case, you have no grounds to use that idea because, quite frankly, op isn't ignorant of what mastery of a piece is.

[classicalnhiphop]

technically speaking, im pretty sure his sonatas are harder than the concertos.  That being said, the concertos require a different type of musicianship than the sonatas because you are playing with an orchestra.  You should be able to play it for sure, as long as you know how to listen to what the accompaniment is playing.

[yohankwon]

oh well

[david456103]

the sonata is DEFINITELY harder. A lot of people who can't play the sonata can play the concerto. vice versa, not usually. concertos require a different skill set.