Pieces leading to Mendelssohn Piano Concerto No. 1 in G Minor

[pianistaw]

Hi guys...I want to learn a concerto, and this is my first time  I have never worked on a concerto before, so I do not really know what to expect and how much it'll take. I am really interested in the Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor, I think it is very beautiful. The only concern is if my technique at current level will permit extensive study on the concerto, since acquiring tons of new technique in a concerto probably could lead to serious health damage...mentally... Anyways, what pieces would you consider to build the technique in order to be able to play the PC in G minor? I am not talking about just getting through the piece and being happy to have played it without mistakes. I am talking about being able to concentrate as much as possible on enjoying the music, and musically focus on it.

My repertoire so far:

Clair de Lune, Debussy
Arabesque No. 1, Debussy
Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C sharp minor, Rachmaninov
Prelude Op. 23 No. 5 in G minor, Rachmaninov
Sonata K332, Mozart

Currently I am working on:
Prelude & Fugue in C minor BWV 847 Book 1, Bach
Little Prelude in D minor BWV 926, Bach
Impromptu Op. 90 No. 3 in G flat, Schubert

Next up comes Chopin's Etude Op. 10 No. 12 "Revolutionary"

That gives you roughly an idea where I am at. Thanks in advance!
pianistaw 

[thalbergmad]

Before approaching the concerto, I would have a go at the Rondo Op.14. If you can master that, you are well on your way to coping with the demands of the concerto.

Judging by your current rep, you might be a year or more away, but it is always good to have something to aim for.

Personally I find the Weber PC's superior, albeit they are almost cut from the same cloth.

Thal

[awesom_o]

It's pretty hard for us to tell how developed your technique is from a list of pieces you have recently played.

If you played those pieces in a sloppy, musically haphazard manner with poor control of tone, rhythm, and phrasing, you could easily be four or five years of good-quality study away from playing the G minor concerto well.

If you played those pieces with good taste, nimble execution, and considerable attention to stylistic detail, you might be able to give a fantastic performance of the G minor concerto within six months!

Post a video of your playing!

I would say the D minor piano trio would give you an accurate idea of how it feels to play virtuoso music by Mendelssohn in a real-time setting with other musicians.

[pianistaw]

Before approaching the concerto, I would have a go at the Rondo Op.14. If you can master that, you are well on your way to coping with the demands of the concerto.

Judging by your current rep, you might be a year or more away, but it is always good to have something to aim for.

Personally I find the Weber PC's superior, albeit they are almost cut from the same cloth.

Thal

That's a nice one! Maybe I'll take a look at the Rondo after the Impromptu by Schubert.
Haven't heard the Weber PC's, I'll listen to them. Thanks for your reply!

It's pretty hard for us to tell how developed your technique is from a list of pieces you have recently played.

If you played those pieces in a sloppy, musically haphazard manner with poor control of tone, rhythm, and phrasing, you could easily be four or five years of good-quality study away from playing the G minor concerto well.

If you played those pieces with good taste, nimble execution, and considerable attention to stylistic detail, you might be able to give a fantastic performance of the G minor concerto within six months!

Post a video of your playing!

I would say the D minor piano trio would give you an accurate idea of how it feels to play virtuoso music by Mendelssohn in a real-time setting with other musicians.

Well...it's kind of hard to tell how good my playing is... I got to record myself sometime, but got to get better recording equipment first, the only thing I got is my mobile phone and it sucks  Anyways, for example when I performed Rach's prelude in G minor my teacher considered it to be very good and "performance-ready". But that again doesn't tell very much...I'll see if I can record anything! Then again, I haven't touched the prelude in 3 months, would probably need some time polishing.
Thanks for your reply!
pianistaw 

[kitty on the keys]

I agree, or the Weber Rondo in in C from the Sonata, Hummel Rondo in C, maybe a look at the Clementi Sonatas. Try various movements from the Beethoven concerti 1, 2,  or 3.

Kitty on the Keys

[pianistaw]

I agree, or the Weber Rondo in in C from the Sonata, Hummel Rondo in C, maybe a look at the Clementi Sonatas. Try various movements from the Beethoven concerti 1, 2,  or 3.

Kitty on the Keys

I'll take a look at them! Thanks,
pianistaw