Piano Forum

Hello, I'm new here. 

I took my DipABRSM last week and I’m now hoping to learn a piano concerto. I want to choose one that is really well-suited to me, as I realise that it’s more of a long-term project than the shorter pieces I’m used to. I’ve listened to lots of piano concertos, but never actually played one before. I’m hoping somebody on here can advise me!

In terms of my personal preferences, I am most comfortable with Romantic works – Chopin, Brahms, etc. Expression/musicianship is often my strong point, rather than virtuosic technique! However, I’ve had a look through some old threads on here, and people seem to say that it’s best to tackle Classical concertos first, and leave the big Romantic works till later. (Also, I don’t have big hands, so I preferably wouldn’t choose a piece which is full of stretches and octaves… sorry, Rachmaninov.)

So, what would be a good concerto for me to start with?

My piano teacher has recommended some of Mozart’s concertos: no. 21, no. 24 and no. 23. I like the sound of them, but I’ve had a look at the scores, and all that passagework is slightly off-putting… I’ve read that no. 19 is fairly manageable – is that true? Personally, I like no. 17 and no. 27 the best, but I’m not sure how hard these are, especially no. 27.

I am very fond of Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 2. I’d have no trouble with the second movement, but how hard are the other movements? I’ve had a quick look at the score, and it struck me that the first movement is similar in some ways to Shostakovich’s Concertino for two pianos, which I learnt this year with my duo partner.

What are some other options? Haydn? Beethoven? Mendelssohn?

I’d be very grateful to hear people’s opinions on the things I’ve mentioned. Sorry this is so long!

Rose Jaune