Piano Concerto?

[pianist202]

I am going to play in a local concerto competition 5 months from now. Which concerto should I play?
Saint Saens g minor
Beethoven B flat
Grieg A minor
Mendelssohn G minor

[chopinlover01]

Whichever one you like best. Though, you may want to go with a lesser played concerto; ergo, don't do the Grieg in that case.


If you're asking about which one should you play in terms of which is the easiest? Hmm... instead of speaking about concertos I know little to nothing about (having only heard two of them), I'll just let the other members of the forum rip in to you about using the search function 

[pianist202]

I know stuff I enjoy the Grieg the most but which is the most competitive?

[pianist202]

I know  I enjoy the Grieg the most but which is the most competitive?

[chopinlover01]

What do you mean by "competitive"? If you mean most popular in competitions, that'd be the Grieg of the ones you mentioned, at least to my knowledge. However, it may not be the best to due, as the judges likely are tired of hearing the piece.
If you want to piss of Thal, do the Schumann A minor 

[diomedes]

None are more "competitive" than the other. That's not logical. Do what you attracts you the most. That way you'll invest more into it. Very simple.

Saint-Saens was unparalleled in the concerto genre. Absolutely no doubt. One of my life goals is all of his Concerti.

I say saint-saens 2.

[pianist202]

Thanks for the advice, I do love that concerto, but its hard!!!!!

[rachmforever]

Thanks for the advice, I do love that concerto, but its hard!!!!!

Play Schumann then but 3 mov. is pretty hard 

[pianist202]

What do you mean by "competitive"? If you mean most popular in competitions, that'd be the Grieg of the ones you mentioned, at least to my knowledge. However, it may not be the best to due, as the judges likely are tired of hearing the piece.
If you want to piss of Thal, do the Schumann A minor 

I mean which do you think will impress the judges the most? Some background on myself as a pianist.
I have moderately good facility
I have a goodish octave technique (for a 13 year old!)
I have an ability to create a solid interpretation, but I tend to be unconventional and "weird" with my interpretations, I don't personally think this, but apparently thats how I come of to others.
I am slow when it comes to reading through a piece
I have good tonal control
Based on that information, what do you think?

[j_menz]

I mean which do you think will impress the judges the most?

The one you play the best. It's not which piece that makes the difference.

[rachmforever]

If it's competition it will be kinda about your performance so you should impress judges by it.
anyway Can someone tell me what problem have Thal with Schumann piano concerto ?  

[chopinlover01]

He believes (not with reason IMO) that both Schumanns are awful composers, to put it in the most flattering words possible.

[rachmforever]

He believes (not with reason IMO) that both Schumanns are awful composers, to put it in the most flattering words possible.

What the HELL MAN?  Schumann is completely amazing composer.
 I have no words for that person... 

[diomedes]

What the HELL MAN?  Shocked Shocked Shocked Schumann is completely amazing composer.
 I have no words for that person...  Undecided

Schumann was absolutely inspired at times, others not. Personally, I've always had a reluctance with the concerto. Perhaps i'll purchase a copy of it today to finally acquaint myself with it. And then put it on the pile of "dragons i must slay in the future" with the rest of the concerto scores, cause i've done none of that yet.

[michael_c]

I mean which do you think will impress the judges the most? Some background on myself as a pianist.
I have moderately good facility
I have a goodish octave technique (for a 13 year old!)
I have an ability to create a solid interpretation, but I tend to be unconventional and "weird" with my interpretations, I don't personally think this, but apparently thats how I come of to others.
I am slow when it comes to reading through a piece
I have good tonal control
Based on that information, what do you think?

It's not your choice of concerto that will impress the judges. It's your mastery of the piano, your musicality, your ability to make people listen... Do the piece that inspires you the most.

[thalbergmad]

Play the Saint Saens. Beethoven and Grieg are played to death and the Mendelssohn is unmemorable.

If you want to come last, play Schumann.

Thal

[promusician]

The Mendelssohn in G minor is mainly superficial as the composer himself completed in a few days, you can try his D minor concerto or even the E minor concerto, which has more inner depth.

[pianoman1349]

I would recommend:
Saint Saens g minor is very impressive if done well ... especially if all the long lines and lyricism is maintained (mvt 1 -- don't do mvt 3, as based on your descriptions of your abilities, you will likely have problems playing it)

Grieg a minor concerto (mvt 1) is very approachable and not that hard.

--
I personally like the Mendelssohn g minor ... it sounds very good as a two piano thing, and it can be learned to a very high standard in a very short amount of time.  It also is not that hard to sound very impressive ... thought it is not as "profound" as some of the other concertos.  However, it's very fingery and will likely be struggle for you.

In general, I'm not crazy about the schumann concerto...