Piano Concerti Difficulty

[skywalker_06]

So I want to start playing a concerto, preferably very soon. But I cannot decide on which one. I love the Rach 2, although I feel, after looking at the score, that I probably am overshooting with that one. I really don't enjoy Mozart so I don't want to learn one of his concerti, but do any of these sound like okay choices? (In order of how much I want to learn them to the least).
1. Chopin No 2
2. Tchaikovsky No 1
3. Prokofiev No 3
4. Rachmaninoff No 2
5. Grieg A minor
6. Rachmaninoff No 3 (I know it's notoriously difficult, but I still think it's a little more doable than the Rach 2 because of its not super awkwardness).
Thanks in advance!!

[glennross]

May I ask you first: which pieces are you working on right now?

BW,
Glenn

[schumaniac]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And Rach 3 more doable than Rach 2? I don't know about that m9...

Before I say anything, I think I need to know a little more about how long you've played, what solo pieces you've played... b/c if you've been playing for 10+ years, those all sound like great choices, and I could probably give you a good assessment of each concerto. But if not.......

[skywalker_06]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And Rach 3 more doable than Rach 2? I don't know about that m9...

Before I say anything, I think I need to know a little more about how long you've played, what solo pieces you've played... b/c if you've been playing for 10+ years, those all sound like great choices, and I could probably give you a good assessment of each concerto. But if not.......

I've been playing for about 8 years, only 1 year with a piano teacher so far (I was self taught before). I've worked on: Chopin Ballade No 1, Mendelssohn Rondo Capricciosso, Chopin Ballade no 3, Beethoven Moonlight Sonata, Bach Prelude and Fugue No. 1 (C major), Mozart Adagio in B minor (mostly for musicality purposes), Chopin Polonaise A major (Military), Schubert Impromptus, etc.
Planning to work on: Chopin Barcarolle, Chopin Fantasie Impromptu, Rach Preludes (C Minor/G Minor), Prokofiev Sonata No 6 and Toccata in D minor, a Scarlatii Sonata etc, etc

[glennross]

Okay that sounds good. However, before you start diving into the most difficult romantic concerti, I suggest you take a look into more simple concerto to get some concert playing experience. Just a few suggestions, I also strongly suggest that you play something in an ensemble or a duo first before doing some real piano concerto's. Anyway, as for the suggestions:

Beethoven, Piano Concerto Nos. 1 and 2
Chopin, Piano Concerto No. 1

And if you wanna do some ensemble playing first:

Beethoven, Sonatas for violin and piano Nos. 7 in C minor, 8 in G major and 10 in G major
Shostakovich, Piano Quintet in G minor.

Good luck!

BW,
Glenn

[skywalker_06]

Okay that sounds good. However, before you start diving into the most difficult romantic concerti, I suggest you take a look into more simple concerto to get some concert playing experience. Just a few suggestions, I also strongly suggest that you play something in an ensemble or a duo first before doing some real piano concerto's. Anyway, as for the suggestions:

Beethoven, Piano Concerto Nos. 1 and 2
Chopin, Piano Concerto No. 1

And if you wanna do some ensemble playing first:

Beethoven, Sonatas for violin and piano Nos. 7 in C minor, 8 in G major and 10 in G major
Shostakovich, Piano Quintet in G minor.

Good luck!

BW,
Glenn

This year I'm actually already planning on doing the Shostakovich Cello/Piano sonata for some work on ensemble playing. Also, if it will help at all, I'm also in an orchestra for violin at my school. Do you think Chopin No 1 is easier than the Chopin No 2?

[glennross]

I'd say the first one is easier, however, this is always a very subjective question. What might be difficult for me (or easy) doesn't have to be difficult/easy for you too. Depends on the piece and the person.

BW,
Glenn

[stevensk]

Just try them, and your problem is solved 

[thalbergmad]

Despite being only slightly better than the Schumann abortion, the Grieg would be the best starter from your list.

If you don't want to play a Mozart concerto, the Clementi is pretty damned good and the Stamitz f minor as melodic as anything from Mozart's pen.

As tempting as it might be, it is not really a good idea to start with the romantics.

Thal

[skywalker_06]

Despite being only slightly better than the Schumann abortion, the Grieg would be the best starter from your list.

If you don't want to play a Mozart concerto, the Clementi is pretty damned good and the Stamitz f minor as melodic as anything from Mozart's pen.

As tempting as it might be, it is not really a good idea to start with the romantics.

Thal

What about Beethoven's 4th/5th Concertos? Do those start to count as like pre-romantic concerti and his 1st/2nd ones would be better? Or do you think I could start with one of his later concertos? Thanks!

[pianoman1349]

Based on what you have written about your skill level, you should be able to start work on most of the standard concertos and bring them to a decent level.

That  being said, I actually believe the best first concerti for a person would be choices from the 20th century.  Perhaps Shostakovich #2, Prokofiev #1, Ravel G major.  Despite its reputation, Rach 2 is actually not a bad introduction to the concerto genre, as the ensemble issues are rather minor.

More Romantic options:

Grieg A minor, Mendelssohn g minor, Saint Saens 5.  Both feature great writing for the piano.  Mendelssohn is probably the most virtuosic.

I would avoid the later Beethoven until you have played at least one concerto prior to that.