Grieg Concerto

[Aspiring Romantic]

Can anyone tell me a really good recording of the grieg and schumann.
By the way, if you were to play in a competition which concerto from the 1st mvmt would u play?

[anda]

lipatti - for both.
grieg (for show-off, they're just as difficult)

[e60m5]

Cziffra's recording of the Grieg Concerto is sublime. I would pick the Grieg over the Schumann for first movement in a competition myself, but then again I'm biased; I love the Grieg concerto.

[Goldberg]

Cziffra's recording of the Grieg Concerto is sublime. I would pick the Grieg over the Schumann for first movement in a competition myself, but then again I'm biased; I love the Grieg concerto.

You know, the second I read the topic I prepared to post essentially this same set of sentences, exactly as it stands...but as Paul has done the dirty work I'll just leave it there.

Though, I'm curious about which recording you prefer. So far I've heard Cziffra/Cziffra Jr. and Cziffra/Vandernoot. Did he ever play it with Dervaux? If he did, I'd love to hear that, but for now I must say the Cziffra/Cziffra Jr. is my favourite. Plus, you can find it on a cheap CD with an equally prodigious Rach 2 with the father-son duo.

Michelangeli's recording comes close as well.

I personally wouldn't think twice about playing this at a concert (or a competition, although I strongly dislike competitions), even though I often DO have reservations about playing fully recognisable pieces (known more explicitly as "overplayed" pieces), the Grieg is just so incredible I feel it would be a crime to pass up an opportunity to perform it, as long as the pianist's interpretation is excellent. If that is the case, I prefer it to the Rach X any day.

I can't say I've given the Schumann enough time to grow on me, however; I'm currently not too impressed by the work, but have only given it a listen or two.

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

I have the Zimmerman recording (both of these come in one package) and his playing is outstanding.

I would pick the Grieg to play in the competition. It is more exciting, and certainly more interesting. It also isn't too difficult, however it still is very impressive to listen to.

About its difficulty: Don't let anybody tell you it's easy. I'm sick of all the 12-year-olds, who claim that they can learn the Rach 3 after a year of playing, saying that this piece is easy. No concerto is easy. Even Mozart's early concerti (you know, the ones he composed when he was four) are not easy for a first concerto, because with many concerti, the difficulties aren't playing the right notes, but staying with the orchestra.

Anyway, it's an outstanding piece. The Schumann is a tad harder, but the Grieg is a winner.

[Aspiring Romantic]

Thanks a lot guys for your input.  I just heard a preview of Cziffra's Grieg and its awesome! Now i think im definitely gonna prep for the competition w/ the Grieg concerto.  Im basically a new asipiring collector on a quest for finding the best recordings for the most popular concertos.
By the way, is his recordings of liszt just as good as i hear?

[ravel]

i love rubinsteins recording and also kocsis, geza anda and cziffra.

[wintervind]

I checked out this thread because the Grieg concerto is always connected to the Schumann.  I love the Schumann so I would say pick this one, but I honestly  haven't spent much time with the Grieg.
As for recordings, my favorite so far is Zimmerman but I think the third movement is amazingly realised by Kissin (of all people!) His rendition (kissin's) is energetic with a clear tecnique without being too sentimental; I think this is important to keep in mind when playing Schumann (sure he was a romantic composer but we don't need to get sea sick!)

[Goldberg]

If we're talking about the Schumann concerto, I just heard the Michelangeli and thought it was quite good, although as mentioned before I'm not really "into" Schumann's piece..

[pianopoet]

How can no one mention Andsnes?! Not only is he HOPELESSLY gorgeous but his playing is great too! must admit though that the orchestra's playing in cziffra's recording with his son after the cadenza is GENIUS! its SO spooky and, after a study of the tempo indications, is correct!

[Troldhaugen]

Yeah....Leif Ove Andsnes has become one of my favourite pianists. Try his recording of Grieg Piano Concerto. You'll be satisfied. I particularly like his recording of Grieg's Lyric Pieces......being Norwegian himself, he shows an uncomparable interpretation of Grieg's works....I mean who else can understand Norwegian music better than Norwegian?