Which Rachmaninoff Concerto should I play?

[jlskiles]

Next year I be using a Rachmaninoff Concerto for several competitions and I will be performing it with my school's orchestra, but I'm torn over which one I should play. PLEASE HELP.

[pianoman1349]

Just a warning ... the orchestra part of the Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini is very difficult for all of the orchestral instruments.  You may want to consider that in your choice.

The third movement of Rach 2 is fun to play, and it has the big tune at the end of the concerto as well.

[jlskiles]

Just a warning ... the orchestra part of the Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini is very difficult for all of the orchestral instruments.

Yeah I was wondering about that when my teacher suggested it. I'll have to ask the orchestra director about that.

[piano4567]

All of the Rach 2nd but if it were me, I'd personally pick either the first or third movement if I had to choose.

[jlskiles]

All of the Rach 2nd but if it were me, I'd personally pick either the first or third movement if I had to choose.

I love Rach 2 but I'm only allowed to use one movement for the competition. I really like the first movement but the ending of the third movement to too great to not play.

[symphonicdance]

OP never thought of Rach 4?

[jlskiles]

OP never thought of Rach 4?

My school wants to do one that's more popular

[nyiregyhazi]

The first is an excellent piece and has the greatest cadenza there is in Romantic concertos.

[jlskiles]

I would argue that the third has the greatest cadenza... but then again its way harder