Choosing a concerto

[ksm_13]

Hi there,

Every year my former piano teacher, who is also the conductor of my town's orchestra, conducts a concerto with one of his former or current students as soloist. He usually plans these events two years in advance so that his students have the opportunity to properly learn the pieces. He's recently asked me to pick a concerto to play in about two years' time.

For background, I recently finished learning Chopin's Ballade #1 and Mozart's Sonata in c minor. I'm currently learning Chopin's Scherzo 3 and am in the process of choosing a new Bach Prelude & Fugue to learn. The only concerto I've ever played before was Beethoven's First in a high school competition (about 5 years ago).

My teacher has expressed interest in performing any of the Saint-Saens concertos, the Mozart d minor or E-flat major concertos, or Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. I'd prefer to choose from that list, but other suggestions are welcome!

I'm partial towards Saint-Saens 5, but I have yet to look at the sheet music and I'm not really familiar with a lot of concertos in general, so I thought I'd ask around... I also really like the Rhapsody, but it's very well known and has an intimidating reputation. If anyone is familiar with any of these pieces, let me know!

Thanks for your help!

[thalbergmad]

Saint Saens 5 is an excellent idea. The others have been played to death.

Thal

[visitor]

Saint Saens 5 is an excellent idea. The others have been played to death.

Thal

+1 if you will stick close to the standard, though with a community orchestra the chance to play something special that is rarely performed is one I would not pass up.

If you look into a piece titled Peanuts Gallery for piano and Orchestra . I think you will be rather pleasantly surprised especially given the overall respect for its composer (rare to seldom performed works) and unlike many of the great  concerto rarities the two piano reduction is easily purchased and cheap and the rental of the orchestra scores should be just as practically easy.
https://www.presser.com/composers/info.cfm?Name=ELLENTAAFFEZWILICH
Just visitin'.

[classicalnhiphop]

rach 1 is really cool, and not played too often.  Liszt totentanz is also one that i like

[cabbynum]

rach 1 is really cool, and not played too often.  Liszt totentanz is also one that i like

rach 1 is my favorite of his concertos!!! the cadenza in the first movement is aboslutely gorgeous

[theholygideons]

nah, do max reger piano concerto in f minor. Go hard or go home.

[kakeithewolf]

If it must be of the Classical/Romantic eras, I would really have to say Totentanz. It's a very creative and powerful paraphrase of the Dies Iræ.

But, truthfully, I'd recommend doing a Baroque concerto. In that case, I would recommend BWV 1052,  BWV 1053, BWV 1060 (if two pianos is allowed for this), RV 780, or H 479. Of those, I'd recommend BWV 1060 and RV 780 the most (especially the latter).

[symphonicdance]

Rachmaninoff's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini would be too challenging.  As you have tried Beethoven's 1st PC before, then perhaps it's not the best idea to do a Mozart's PC.

A concertos of Saint-Saens, Grieg and Schumann may seem to be better choice.  If you have already got the preference on Saint-Saens 5th concerto, then go ahead.  I haven't played it before, but if my memory serves me correctly, there's a trick to do one of the things in it correctly...  Amongst all 5 Saint-Saens concertos, his 2nd concerto is my favourite.

Good luck.

[hamishscott4]

Mozart 9 (in e flat) is superb. I think its quite underplayed.

[cabbynum]

Mozart 9 (in e flat) is superb. I think its quite underplayed.

It's not crazy hard either. If you don't want a crazy hard one like rach 1 I'd go for that one.

[thelightfromheaven]

Saint-Saens 5 really isn't a bad idea. But the second is my favourite too.

[canada100]

You seem to be fairly proficient in your playing-judging by your ability to play the Chopin Ballades and Scherzi.

For this reason, it is fair to say you are ready to learn Saint Saens-they are not well-known however, except for the no. 2. The second is very difficult, particularly the first movement. I advise you to learn all the movements in a concerto-do not leave unfinished repertoire. This is just like leaving your math assignment partly finished.

You mentioned your teacher suggested you play the Rhapsody on theme of Paganini, or the Mozart D minor or E-flat Major, or the Saint-Saens. I say you are ready for any of these pieces.

Good luck!

[thomasmisson92]

Being a sucker for 20th century repertoire I have a few suggestions.

I have done Prokofiev 1 recently and that was a ripper of a concerto. Compact, fun, exciting. It's probably about the same difficulty at Saint Saens 5 to me all things considered (Technique, Stamina, Length of concerto, Structural Complexity etc). Wouldn't rule out any Prokofiev concerto (though being only an amateur I wouldn't touch 2 with a 10 foot pole).

I also love Khachaturian's Db Concerto. The middle movement is particularly stunning and really the flexi-tone can be omitted from the orchestra. I also recommend the Schnittke and the Rautavaara.

Lastly being an Aussie I can't help but love the piano concertos of both Carl Vine and Peter Sculthrorpe.

If it must be classical/romantic then Saint Saens 5 is one of my favourites along with the Macdowell in A minor, Liszt Totentanz, Beethoven 4 and the fabulous Franck Symphonic Variations.