Grainger's solo arrangement of Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, Movement 3

[azbroolah]

A copy of this recently came into my possession, and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with it. I'm having some trouble finding any videos/recordings of it. I love Rach 2, and glancing at the sheets it seems playable but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the arrangement (or others that might exist).

[nitros]

Is this the whole thing?

[visitor]

Is this the whole thing?

I collected some Grainger origi's, this included, I've read through it a few times and have that Jones recording from the albums/collected works which he also did (complete solo pieces Grainger). 

Of these,he did several including Grieg, Schumann...*blegh!...., and Tchaikovsky...meh...,  paraphrases (they are more this and true transcriptions, that is more solos based on the theme), this is probably the 2nd most successful (the best work is unfortunately wasted on the Schumann).

All of them however are probably the best 'stage solo' works based on these you'll come across that are based on these overplayed/played out concertos.  They are not watered down or simplified, in fact they are only 'less difficult' in that they are shorter and they are unaccompanied, but in some spots you'll find some considerable difficulty not found in the originals as well. Expect to really have to work at it to make it sound convincing (as convincing as these things can sound at least).

[azbroolah]

I collected some Grainger origi's, this included, I've read through it a few times and have that Jones recording from the albums/collected works which he also did (complete solo pieces Grainger). 

Of these,he did several including Grieg, Schumann...*blegh!...., and Tchaikovsky...meh...,  paraphrases (they are more this and true transcriptions, that is more solos based on the theme), this is probably the 2nd most successful (the best work is unfortunately wasted on the Schumann).

All of them however are probably the best 'stage solo' works based on these you'll come across that are based on these overplayed/played out concertos.  They are not watered down or simplified, in fact they are only 'less difficult' in that they are shorter and they are unaccompanied, but in some spots you'll find some considerable difficulty not found in the originals as well. Expect to really have to work at it to make it sound convincing (as convincing as these things can sound at least).

I've always had a special place in my heart for Rach 2 movement 3, so I'm not too fussed about it being overplayed (which it definitely is.) From what I've gathered just sightreading it, it feels sumptuous; definitely not so much as the full version, but probably as full as a solo can be. I think I'll give it a shot. Thanks for your advice!

[visitor]

I've always had a special place in my heart for Rach 2 movement 3, so I'm not too fussed about it being overplayed (which it definitely is.) From what I've gathered just sightreading it, it feels sumptuous; definitely not so much as the full version, but probably as full as a solo can be. I think I'll give it a shot. Thanks for your advice!

Fair enough, give it a shot, good luck, I'm all about 'play what you like'.  I will encourage you to consider some of the lovely neglected works in the same style, like this, a 'paraphrase' on the rarely (if ever in modern times) performed Richardson work.  I have read through this and find the writing is sound and easy on the hands, though not simple, it is not unnecessarily difficult/awkward like many 'reductions + solo' often end up being.  Score is out of print but can be found occasionally if you look hard enough, just be patient, took me a couple years to track my copies down (there is a full transcription at 11 minutes or so and this shorter 5-6 minute-er solo on the theme)

[keyboardkat]

Anybody familiar with Grace Castagnetta's solo arrangement of Gershwin's Concerto in F?

[visitor]

Anybody familiar with Grace Castagnetta's solo arrangement of Gershwin's Concerto in F?

Yes, as stated above I collect concerto transcriptions. I have the score and recording of this. Awesome, but incredibly difficult, to me at least it seems/feels harder in places that the original in many spots due to the need to combine musical material in spots (added orchestral filler to solo, very similar to the issue of the original Harms version of the first rhapsody. It is one reason I wish Wasserman, who did what I feel is the better modified version of the Rhapsody-he was Gershwin's piano teacher- had also applied himself to transcribing this concerto). 

It's a huge work also, my score is a whopping 57 pages of virtuosic riff raff...