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Topic: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)  (Read 7074 times)

Offline bmn3

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Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
on: February 28, 2017, 01:36:39 AM
Hi fellow piano lovers,

I'm current a sophomore in high school who has recently taken a bigger interest in piano due to several reasons. I just finished Chopin waltz op. 64 no.1, Bach Sinfonia #15, and Pathetique 3rd mvmt and am starting Chopin's Revolutionary Etude (there's a big jump but I have improved a lot as a result of practicing more).

In two years, around March 2019, my high school will be having my senior concerto competition for any instrument and vocals. There will (hopefully) be 5 spots as in the past (except for last year which was a special case) and unfortunately, 4 of the spots have basically been taken.

With all of the background information provided, could you guys provide me with a few suggestions on a single movement from any concerto that is less than 12 minutes long and would be in the realm of possibility for me to play? And if you don't mind, a suggestion on what repertoire I should focus on to build up the technique and musicality to attempt that concerto? And about what time period should I begin focusing on the concerto?

Currently, I think I'd like to play the Grieg 1st mvmt as it is an easier romantic concerto, but it is still very difficulty compared to my current pieces  ???

Thank you for the help!
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Offline visitor

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #1 on: February 28, 2017, 01:52:34 AM
Some of your questions are not quite appropriate ie see my reply recently in mid Feb on this similar question thread....
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=63396.0

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Offline visitor

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #2 on: February 28, 2017, 01:55:03 AM
That said i not only think this is a fine first concerto, but a fine anytime concerto as it is my favorite concerto of all

I want to play this someday myself,

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Offline zxiao9

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #3 on: February 28, 2017, 01:57:45 AM
I think usually a classical piano concerto by Mozart or Haydn is the standard first concerto to learn before tackling romantic concertos like Grieg or Schumann. Mozart No.20 in d minor is one of my favorite concertos and not very difficult. However, if you want to do an easier romantic concerto, may I suggest John Field's Concerto No.1 1st movement? It is relatively simple and a lovely piece to listen to!
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Offline bmn3

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #4 on: February 28, 2017, 02:05:09 AM
@visitor

hmm, to answer (some) of your questions

1. will you play and perform with an orchestra? What is the proficiency level of the group and conductor?

The audition will most likely be me playing with a piano accompaniment (probably my teacher). The orchestra played Ravel's concerto in G last year so they could definitely handel (pun intended) any concerto I could possibly play.

2. What chamber music[trios quartets etc] or solo instrument [including voice]  w piano have you played?

I haven't played any as of yet besides playing in church and Tchaikovsky sleeping beauty waltz with my friend.

3. Will you have coaching available from a teacher with ample accompanying experience throughout? What chamber and concerto pieces has the teacher taught and performed?

I'm not sure about this, but my teacher has taught Gershwin's rhapsody in blue for sure and possible Rachmaninoff's 2nd concerto, or at least performed it. She mainly teaches now though, but she went to music school.

Thank you for all the suggestions provided so far, I will give them all their due attention. However, I don't particularly enjoy classical concertos (I have listened to Mozart 20,21, and 23) but I understand if those will be the only ones I can play. Also, I have a feeling that the judges (the school orchestra + band teachers) are more partial to romantic concertos as in the past two years the (piano) winners have been

Rach 3, Chopin 2, Ravel G major, Amy beach piano concerto (all 1st mvmt).

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Offline visitor

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #5 on: February 28, 2017, 02:12:10 AM
Quote from: bmn3 on February 28, 2017, 02:05:09 AM
@visitor

hmm, to answer (some) of your questions

1. will you play and perform with an orchestra? What is the proficiency level of the group and conductor?

The audition will most likely be me playing with a piano accompaniment (probably my teacher). The orchestra played Ravel's concerto in G last year so they could definitely handel (pun intended) any concerto I could possibly play.

2. What chamber music[trios quartets etc] or solo instrument [including voice]  w piano have you played?

I haven't played any as of yet besides playing in church and Tchaikovsky sleeping beauty waltz with my friend.

3. Will you have coaching available from a teacher with ample accompanying experience throughout? What chamber and concerto pieces has the teacher taught and performed?

I'm not sure about this, but my teacher has taught Gershwin's rhapsody in blue for sure and possible Rachmaninoff's 2nd concerto, or at least performed it. She mainly teaches now though, but she went to music school.

Thank you for all the suggestions provided so far, I will give them all their due attention. However, I don't particularly enjoy classical concertos (I have listened to Mozart 20,21, and 23) but I understand if those will be the only ones I can play. Also, I have a feeling that the judges (the school orchestra + band teachers) are more partial to romantic concertos as in the past two years the (piano) winners have been

Rach 3, Chopin 2, Ravel G major, Amy beach piano concerto (all 1st mvmt).


word and cool stuff! :-]
Although i still believe Kabalevsky 3 is a smart first, you might look at what i dis as my first "concerto"'
Addinsell Warsaw concerti is a favorite and a crowd pleaser and i think youd like it
:)
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Offline bmn3

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #6 on: March 01, 2017, 03:02:12 AM
@visitor

Thank you for reminding me of the Warsaw concerto, I really like it and if the Grieg is too difficulty I will most likely ask my teacher about it.

Also, at the risk of sounding too blunt, is the Grieg 1st mvmt out of my reach ( in ~1.5 years)?

Are there any Beethoven concerto movements that would be a good choice for a concerto competition and not too difficult (relatively, of course)?

Thanks again!
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Offline bmn3

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #7 on: March 12, 2017, 02:25:20 PM
Could anyone help me make a list of repertoire that I should try to learn in the next 1.5 years or so to provide good technique for the Grieg?

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Offline tmjorden

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Re: Choosing a concerto for my high school senior concerto competition (in 2 years)
Reply #8 on: March 12, 2017, 10:56:10 PM
Quote from: bmn3 on March 12, 2017, 02:25:20 PM
Could anyone help me make a list of repertoire that I should try to learn in the next 1.5 years or so to provide good technique for the Grieg?



I learned the first movement and actually performed it with a symphony (everyone check it out in the audition room). I learned it about a year ago and here is a list of things I would recommend. Don't stick to one period because that will hurt your repertoire. Do some of the easier chopin etude ex. Op 10 9, 25 2. Learn some beethoven and haydn sonatas, liszt etudes.... The biggest problem I had was playing light in the Animato section the cadenza didn't bother me actually. Op 25 2 and haydn sonatas are light and fast. Try some other large romantic works like liszt rhapsodies, chopin ballades, bigger stuff. Good luck with it it's a good one
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Repertoire:
Rachmaninoff Concerto 2
Haydn Sonata 50
Prokofiev Toccata and Suggestion Diabolique
Liszt La Campanella, Hungarian Rhapsody 6, and Concerto No. 1
And other stuff...
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