Concerto for Competition

[dlu]

I am planning to enter an MTNA competition soon. I already have my solo portion figured out...still need to learn most of the stuff though...For the second part you are supposed to play one movement from a piano concerto, sounds simple enough. I think they allow you five minutes to play it (w/ second piano reduction...and they allow you to make cuts in the 2nd piano part but not the solo piano part). I have looked into some of these concerti:

Beethoven 5th: 3rd Mvt.
Brahms: Both Concerti: 3rd Movt.
Schoenberg: I don't think they'd appreciate that one (or would they?)....Last Mvt.
Beethoven 4th: 3rd Mvt.
ect....................

What would you suggest? What are the judges ussualy looking for? Would they prefer a seemless performance of the Beethoven 4th or a crappy one of the Rach 2nd?... Any other concerti you would suggest... I rather not do Mozart... and I would do Bach...except, I think I would get laughed at...

What would go well with my solo repertoire:
(In no particular order)
Scarlatti-Sonata L. 449 B minor
Haydn-Sonata (Eb Major)...the last sonata that it
Ligeti-Etude No. 10, Der Zauberlehing
Schumann-Pause et March (of david against the phillistines?) from Carnaval Op. 9
Sorabji-? (probably a pastiche or two)

Time: 25 min...

I am now leaning towards one of the Beethoven or the Brahms 1st Concerto after I write all this down...Suggestions please?!!!

[amanfang]

Do something that's not overplayed.  I suggest a movement from Lowell Liebermann's 2nd concerto.  The 2nd and 4th movements are good.  Unless you don't have as much time to put into it.  If we can only pick from the list you wrote down, I like Beethoven 5th.

[shasta]

Play whatever concerto you love (and can learn in the amount of time you have), be it a Beethoven or the Brahms.  An exquisite Grieg will ALWAYS beat a blah Rach 3.

Personally, I'm a big champion of "off the beaten path" concertos (hence why I'm currently doing Saint-Saen's #5).  Yes, people play Schumann's A minor, but have they done Clara's A minor?  Mendelssohn's G minor gets a lot of attention, but what about his D minor?  

[dlu]

Well...I was thinking of the Lutoslawski concerto....but didn't think there would be a 2nd piano reduction lying around anywhere...And that's kinda a problem....

[klavierkonzerte]

how about medtner first?? it's WAY better than rach 2
the intro of the first mvt is amazing.

[zemos]

What do you think of Grieg's piano concerto? Both first and third movements are terrific! I greatly recommend it.

[Goldberg]

Of those listed, I'd say go for Schoenberg or Beethoven's 5th. Either way, you want to have it down perfectly, but if you play the popular one (as the so called "Emperor" or Grieg's concerto) you want it better than perfect. Schoenberg's gonna get you a kudo or two, imo, simply because of what it is. But, of course, you can't let that carry your rating--you're still going to have to do a bloody good job on it.

Other than that, check out Scharwenka's and Sauer's concerti, both of which are on a Hough CD that I just purchased--excellent, underplayed works, both of them. There is also Paderewski's and.....even Moszkowski's would be kind of fun. Haha, how about that? I think that would be a wicked one to play at a competition. For something else a *little* different, why not try Saint-Saens' third? I love the 5th SS concerto, but the third is incredible....but then it seems like few people agree with that.

Well, those are just a few suggestions...

Btw, I had to grin at the mention of Sorabji....I have to say that's the first time I've heard of someone considering playing one of his works at a competition! Have you tried playing one of those Pistaches yet? They look insanely difficult, but possibly marginally easier than they look....btw, thanks for that Habanera sheet music...you've satisfied my curiosity and also nearly gave me a heart attack...both at the same time!

[Awakening]

What do you think of Grieg's piano concerto? Both first and third movements are terrific! I greatly recommend it.

Indeed, Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor is one of the most beautiful, in my opinion.  It's not as difficult as many other romantic concertos, either.  It is pretty commonly played, though, so if he's going for something less-known, it might not be the best idea.

However, if you are just looking for a beautiful concerto that isn't incredibly difficult, Grieg's would be a great choice.  The first movement is probably my favorite. 

Other concertos that I love:  Chopin's 2nd, Beethoven's th (you mentioned this), Tchaikovsky's 1st (very famous).

Personally, I love Tchiakovsky's first, so you might want to consider that as well.  Again, depends whether you want something less common, or something that everyone is used to hearing, and will immediately recognize and know everything about. 

[Jeremy C.]

I too have a concerto competition coming up on January 15 for the Frederick Orchestra. I am going to do Beethoven's 3rd: 3rd movement

[klavierkonzerte]

try bronsart concerto in F#minor
i was just reading throu the third mvmt.
it's great to play.
i can send you the score if you want

i think you should play somthing unknown the gudges had enough of grieg, schumann or beethoven 3rd

or you can try the third mvt of kullak concerto in C minor i just love it
i can send you this score 2.

[Rach3]

Beethoven no. 4 is considerably more difficult than Rachmaninoff's 2nd, afaik.

I suggest (from your list) Emperor or Brahms 1.