How do concert pianists memorize concertos so fast?

[rovis77]

How do concert pianists memorize concertos so fast?. Is it a combination of great sightreading skills and pattern recognition?.

[lelle]

Sorry to be a curmudgeon, but the answer to this question is the same as what we wrote in your two other topics asking similar questions which you haven't replied to:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70536.0
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70533.0

What makes you think the answer to this topic would be any different? What more are you hoping to glean out of asking this specific question about concertos that hasn't been said in the previous threads?

[ladonnabehrens]

Sorry to be a curmudgeon, but the answer to this question is the same as what we wrote in your two other topics asking similar questions which you haven't replied to:
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70536.0
https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=70533.0

What makes you think the answer to this topic would be any different? What more are you hoping to glean out of asking this specific question about concertos that hasn't been said in the previous threads?

Oh, exact. I just joined and I have the same question with rovis77, but I realize that the answer is in your two mentioned thread. They have so much useful information for me.

[geopianoincanada]

How do concert pianists memorize concertos so fast?. Is it a combination of great sightreading skills and pattern recognition?.

Maybe they're Cyborgs? Their feats seem out of this world to me at least.

[rmgatl]

I answered your post about age effects, I would add that most concert pianists often have periods where they practice 8+ hours/day.

They also develop top notch analysis skills to augment mechanical/finger memory and auditory memory.  I depend a lot on auditory, never invested enough effort in analysis to help memorization.

The good news is, unless you’re planning to be a pro, you don’t have to memorize.  In fact some pros perform using scores and some day that could become more typical (beyond chamber music, where using the score is standard).  I play formal recitals and bigger amateur competitions with my iPad or a page turner.  Whatever.  Well, actually I do play some things by memory but mostly shorter pieces, anything over a few pages I generally use the score.  Or maybe I memorize a couple lines here and there, the hard parts - it’s pretty easy to memorize a couple lines you play over and over again to get it sorted out. I probably have about 98% of any particular piece memorized, but exactly which 98% can change day to day:-) and what’s the point of worrying about it.  Yes you can maybe sometimes get a bit deeper into the zone without a score but it’s ok. 
Anyway, go have fun with it.

[ravelfan07]

How do concert pianists memorize concertos so fast?. Is it a combination of great sightreading skills and pattern recognition?.

I mean they’ve had years of not decades of experience with the piano, their ability to memorize is borderline uncanny at that point