World's most humorous concerto?

[ballade]

Hi!
I'm looking for a concerto to play at a recital/competition next year that is slightly lesser known, and not so often played. I also wanted something slightly unique and quite humorously written.
My mind fell upon Dohnanyi's Variations on a Nursey Theme, as it mimicks numerous other composers. Are there any people here who have played the concerto, who could tell me about the relative difficulty/merits of the piece or suggest some other good concerti?

[xenia]

 

Beethoven 's concerto in B flat major.

 

[pskim]

Here is someone whom you might want to give it a listen, Henry Litolff.  He was a fantastic pianist and was considered the Franz Liszt of England and some thought that he surpassed Liszt.  Try listening to his piano concertos "concerti symphonic".  His most famous movement is the scherzo from his second (I think) concerto.  You want something hard and humorous, check them out.

[BuyBuy]

Check out Prokofiev 5th. Rarely heard, but so humoristic ! I love it !

Gershwin concerto is not unfamous, but not so played either. And like all of his music, it's full of rythm, joy and cheer.

[titos]

  A good idea is Shostakovich Concerto No.2 in F major Op.102! It is not played that much, but it is impressive, humorous and you can...show off a bit! Audiences seem to like it a lot (talking from experience...)! And an absolutely beautiful slow movement indeed!

[frederic]

Yes, give Litolff a try.... It's actually scherzo from No.4.
they are more like symphonies with piano included. Because they are all in 4 movements. There are 5 but No.1 is lost.... pretty tragic because that would've been very good too...... My favourite is No.2 but No.4 is the most famous. I've got the Cd's from Hyperion which has Peter Donohoe as soloist. Very good playing. He's coming to NZ and is performing Tchaikovsky's 1st and Shotakovich's 2nd. YAY!

Also a question:

I listened to Dohnanyi's Variations on a Nursery Song and i dont get it.... It doesnt sound like he's mimicking other composers. So perhaps someone can tell me in which variation does he mimick which composer? it does not sound humourous at all... well maybe twinkle twinkle..... but thats it!

[luda888]

 

Beethoven 's concerto in B flat major.

 

uhhh.......NO!

[liszmaninopin]

For me, the Prok 5.

[DarkWind]

Although it's played a lot, how about the Tchaikovsky first for two pianos alla Victor Borge? Sorry, I really don't know many humorous concertos.

[abe]

The BEATLES CONCERTO. its by John Rutter, and it steals from not only the Beatles but also like every major concerto you can imagine, but its still fun. But actually its for 2 pianos and orchestra

[dlu]

How about Schoenberg's Piano Concerto (no this is not a joke).

[Pumpkinhead]

yeah, the shostakovich #2 is my most humrous. It's just so lighthearted. and it's harder than it sounds

[Rach3]

No, Schoenberg is never a joke.

[Rach3]

I second the Shosty no. 2 - why do you think it's hard? I'm fairly sure it's one of the easiest, but it does show off a bit. It's about the only happy Soviet-era piece I've ever heard - it's very witty and likable.

Who suggests Prok's 5th? It's a rather extreme suggestion - humorous at times yes, but also an immense piece (five movements is it?) and ultra-virtuosic - to the untrained ear it's a lot of the same stuff as Rach 3 (and not much easier, I think) - plus some big glissandos, really scaring-sounding.

'm looking for a concerto to play at a recital/competition next year

Hardly a piece to be lcompetition-ready in a few months, I should think!

[dlu]

Since, obviously you aren't taking in my consideration of the genius schoenberg why don't you try Ravel's G-Major Concerto. Kinda humorous and plenty of room for interpretation and virtuosity. And I would reccomend the GREAT Samson Francois's (my like 3rd favorite pianist behind horowitz, and gould) recording of it. It is on the same disk as his Gaspard de la Nuit also played by Fransois (did I mention he is one of my favorite pianists) and is the BEST recording of Gaspard hands down (please tell me if you disagree). You could also try Ravel's left hand concerto but it is not at all humorous but very virtuostic and difficult (it also is played best by Samson Francois and on the same disk with the G-major concerto and Gaspard).

[teresa_b]

If you are brave enough to tackle Mozart,  go for his Concerto no 17, K453.  The 3rd movement variations are supposedly based on a song Mozart taught his pet starling.  The last variation, which is really half the movement, is beyond humorous--it's downright funny in places!  

Teresa

[DarkWind]

Since, obviously you aren't taking in my consideration of the genius schoenberg why don't you try Ravel's G-Major Concerto. Kinda humorous and plenty of room for interpretation and virtuosity. And I would reccomend the GREAT Samson Francois's (my like 3rd favorite pianist behind horowitz, and gould) recording of it. It is on the same disk as his Gaspard de la Nuit also played by Fransois (did I mention he is one of my favorite pianists) and is the BEST recording of Gaspard hands down (please tell me if you disagree). You could also try Ravel's left hand concerto but it is not at all humorous but very virtuostic and difficult (it also is played best by Samson Francois and on the same disk with the G-major concerto and Gaspard).

I haven't heard Francois' yet. Care to provide it ? I, so far, prefer Argerich out of the dozen or so recording's I've heard. The piece was meant to be difficult, and she makes it sound like it! Also, I wouldn't call the G Major Concerto very humorous, it's more of a light-hearted, happy, piece. Although, the second movement is very dark and sombre. Also, the left hand concerto is unbelievably beautiful. So far, my favorite recordings of both are Alicia de Larrocha's. Don't listen to Beroff's Left Hand Concerto in D, as he takes the intro way too fast. But as a message for everyone, find a recording of these concertos. They are amazing.

[teresa_b]

I know this is very subjective but I would beg to differ with Darkwind about the Mozart G Major concerto.  The first and third movements are indeed light-hearted, and as I mentioned, the third is quite funny, in the vein of comic opera.  

The second movement does not seem sombre or dark at all to me.  It is serious, and a great contrast to the outer movements.  But rather than dark, it is a beautiful, introspective  prayer with great depth of emotion.  

Teresa

[dlu]

I know this is very subjective but I would beg to differ with Darkwind about the Mozart G Major concerto.  The first and third movements are indeed light-hearted, and as I mentioned, the third is quite funny, in the vein of comic opera.  

The second movement does not seem sombre or dark at all to me.  It is serious, and a great contrast to the outer movements.  But rather than dark, it is a beautiful, introspective  prayer with great depth of emotion.  

Teresa

We were refering to Ravel's G-major concerto. Which G major concerto are you talkink about? I'm sure Mozart wrote a couple of them in G-major, I'll be sure to give it a listen.

[dlu]

I haven't heard Francois' yet. Care to provide it ? I, so far, prefer Argerich out of the dozen or so recording's I've heard. The piece was meant to be difficult, and she makes it sound like it! Also, I wouldn't call the G Major Concerto very humorous, it's more of a light-hearted, happy, piece. Although, the second movement is very dark and sombre. Also, the left hand concerto is unbelievably beautiful. So far, my favorite recordings of both are Alicia de Larrocha's. Don't listen to Beroff's Left Hand Concerto in D, as he takes the intro way too fast. But as a message for everyone, find a recording of these concertos. They are amazing.

How do you post sound files over the internet. Wait, I think I know...I'll be sure to post them in a couple of days, have alot of school work to do currently (doing french right now....ugh). Francois's is the definitive recording. Why don't you go to amazon.com and search for it and listen to the samples for now.

[anda]

Hi!
My mind fell upon Dohnanyi's Variations on a Nursey Theme, as it mimicks numerous other composers.

i don't think i've ever heard this concerto - do you have the score, or do you know how i could get it (download it) for free? thanx

[teresa_b]

Dear Dlu,

Sorry, since I had just posted on the Mozart, I thought you meant HIS G-Major concerto.  I neglected to notice that your quote referred to the Ravel!  My mistake.  

Mozart wrote only one Piano Concerto in G Major, and that is no 17, K453.  He wrote it for his very gifted student Barbara Ployer.   It is one of his best, and a masterpiece.  Give it a listen--you'll smile during the finale!

All the best, Teresa

[ravel]

prokofievs fifth is humourous in the outer movements, but its slow movement is some of the most emotional ,nerve chilling music i have heard, specially with richter playing, i havent known of any other pianist who comes any close to producing the haunting sound on the piano in the middle of the second movement, ( talking about the chords played right before the orchestra takes over the same tune), but ya  the outer movements are really full of wit, but then as some one already pointed out it is crazy hard.
shostakovich s piano concerto no.1 for piano , trumpet and orchestra , in my opinion, really qualifies as a humourous concerto, specially the first and last movements. i love the recording of kissin playing it .
ravels g major , i would say is humourous only in the third movement and maybe parts of the first movement.
and yes,  i dont know if its my favourite, but samson francois recording of ravels concertos and gaspard de la nuit are out of this world.

[erik-]

Shostakovich's first piano concerto is quite humorous as well I think. I love the way Argerich played it on her CD.
In the Evening Talks documentary, Argerich mentionned that she like humour in the music, and she found Ravel's concerto quite humourous.

[Pumpkinhead]

Posted by: Rach3

"I second the Shosty no. 2 - why do you think it's hard? I'm fairly sure it's one of the easiest, but it does show off a bit. It's about the only happy Soviet-era piece I've ever heard - it's very witty and likable. "


I don't know, I found this concerto harder than the Grieg in A minor. with the Grieg, it's more forgiving with mistakes, like a lot of virtuostic, romantic music
For me, the Shostakovich was harder to perfect technically and musically. lol it's like mozart, every note really counts

[dlu]

Posted by: Rach3

"I second the Shosty no. 2 - why do you think it's hard? I'm fairly sure it's one of the easiest, but it does show off a bit. It's about the only happy Soviet-era piece I've ever heard - it's very witty and likable. "


I don't know, I found this concerto harder than the Grieg in A minor. with the Grieg, it's more forgiving with mistakes, like a lot of virtuostic, romantic music
For me, the Shostakovich was harder to perfect technically and musically. lol it's like mozart, every note really counts

I agree

[Regulus Medtner]

Give Saint-Saens' 1st piano concerto a listen (quite the opposite mood from the 2nd).