Chopin em or Lizst Eb?

[brsmpianist]

Hi, I will be entering the National Symphony competition in the near future and Im debating... the Chopin eminor or Liszt Eflat?  Although I love the Liszt more, the octaves will prove a bit difficult for my small hands, whereas in the Chopin I think I can do lots of interesting things with color and dynamics.  Any suggestions?

[anda]

play what you love best - and what makes you feel good playing.

best luck with your competition

[dlu]

Hi, I will be entering the National Symphony competition in the near future and Im debating... the Chopin eminor or Liszt Eflat?  Although I love the Liszt more, the octaves will prove a bit difficult for my small hands, whereas in the Chopin I think I can do lots of interesting things with color and dynamics.  Any suggestions?

The National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C.?

[brsmpianist]

Yes, that one

[e60m5]

Play what you love more, I guess. If you love the Liszt more than the Chopin, definitely do use the Liszt for the competition.

Although personally I have no idea how anybody can love the Liszt Eb more than the Chopin e. 

[maxy]

If the conductor is a "judge" take Liszt. 

[brsmpianist]

If the conductor is a "judge" take Liszt. 

Is that because of the lackluster orchestral part in the chopin or because liszt is generally liked more??

[maxy]

Chopin=no fun for the orchestra...

[steinwayguy]

I agree with Maxy, for a concerto competition, as much as they say "any concerto played extremely well could win", if you played Chopin extremely well and you play Liszt extremely well, they'd probably pick Liszt, for the orchestra's sake. (Although, come to think of it, neither piece is especially dazzling orchestrally, like Brahms  )

[etudes]

Although personally I have no idea how anybody can love the Liszt Eb more than the Chopin e.

agree 

[thierry13]

If you haven't began to learn them, I would suggest a Liszt concerto, but the second. I have only heard the first movement, but it is amazing! I'm sure the two other movements are great. Only a suggestion like that, if you allready have heard Liszt's second concerto, and you don't like it, it's ok. But between the two, I would definitly go for the Liszt.

[BoliverAllmon]

I agree with people do what you enjoy the most. your enjoyment will come out in the performance.

[DarkWind]

Play what you love more, I guess. If you love the Liszt more than the Chopin, definitely do use the Liszt for the competition.

Although personally I have no idea how anybody can love the Liszt Eb more than the Chopin e. 

I personally have no idea how anyone can like the Chopin concerti in general.

Seriously, go with any concerto you like more. This isn't necessary, but if you want to make the orchestra like you a little bit more, then go with the Liszt. Seriously, the Chopin Concerti have some of the worst orchestration I have ever seen!

[pianomann1984]

(Although, come to think of it, neither piece is especially dazzling orchestrally, like Brahms  )

Granted, the Chopin and Liszt concerti are pretty uninteresting orchestrally!  But dont pick on Brahms!  The 2 PC's are orchestral tours de force!  OK, his choice of instrumentation is conservative to say the least.  But these works are basically symphonies with piano obligato!  In many cases the piano doesnt stand a chance!  Take teh 2nd Concerto, 3rd movement - the solo Cello gets all the fun!

Leave my buddy Brahms alone! 

[steinwayguy]

Granted, the Chopin and Liszt concerti are pretty uninteresting orchestrally! But dont pick on Brahms! The 2 PC's are orchestral tours de force! OK, his choice of instrumentation is conservative to say the least. But these works are basically symphonies with piano obligato! In many cases the piano doesnt stand a chance! Take teh 2nd Concerto, 3rd movement - the solo Cello gets all the fun!

Leave my buddy Brahms alone!

I was saying that the Brahms concerti are dazzling orchestrally.

[iumonito]

It is a little off your answer, but have you considered doing something off the beaten path, like Ravel G Major or Bartok 3rd.  The Bartok may be particularly well suited for this orchestra, which has a very strong brass section.

Slatkin is a big Gershwin fan too, so you may want to entertain the F major concerto.

For something truly outlandish, Corigliano.  A little less outlandish, Barber.

Can you pick whatever you want, or one from a list?

Break a leg!

P.S.  of the two you mention, the Liszt one is really short.  Played equally well I would reward the person who played the Chopin, which is more difficult.

[Waldszenen]

I'm going to say something that will make everyone hate me:


The Chopin PCs fade in comparison to the Liszt ones.


IMO.