ANy other suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!
Im looking strongly at Alkan, Ginastera, Balakirev, Possibly Barber, and definately Brahms 1 or 2.
I play both Brahms concerti, and they are both stellar masterpieces that make a very big impact. They are difficult enough such that, if you can pull them off, you've sealed the deal.
I could play them....after talking with a few friends im probly leaning toward Brahms.. What you would say about difficulty? I play the Liszt trans. etudes 8 and have preformed 10 in F minor. studied Hungarian rhapsodies 2, 6, and 19, the mephisto waltz, and don juan as well as symphony no. 5 . studied chopin scherzo 2 and ballade 1 as well as a few nocturnes, preludes, and etudes. ect. just to give you a insight as to what level i play at. thanks!Cheers!Ricky
Brahms B-flat is definitely as difficult as Rachmaninoff 3. Brahms D Minor is close. And if you think Liszt 2 is too easy, well you won't have any trouble with Brahms... because Liszt 2 is very far from easy. Also, you should have mentioned Beethoven's 4th as a little overplayed... Anyway, if you're looking for a concerto for a competition-Prokofiev- any of em, especially 3Rachmaninoff- any of em, especially 3Brahms- eitherLiszt- eitherBeethoven- 4, 5Mozart- 20, 23 (maaaaybe)Bartok- 2, 3 (maybe)and others...
If you're looking for a technique showfest - STRAUSS BURLESKETruly a crazy piece, but so wonderful; it just runs around the whole time and never stops! It's also almost never played at all. Check it out.Also, another recent favorite of mine - Ravel GOne of the flashiest things I've ever heard; I saw Olli Mustonen perform it, and WHAM, it just reaches out at ya. Very cool stuff.
Is it? I've never seen the sheet or don't have a rec, just saw it in Music Hall a month ago. The guy really sold it, so I couldn't tell how tough it was.
Dvorak is quite underplayed, but not in the same class as either of the Brahms concerti. Also Rach 4. I personally think its the most interesting of the 4, especially the time signatures. I'd say go with Brahms, Rach4 or Gershwin.
In my humble opinion, and most people will disagree with me; the Brahms No. 2 is more difficult than the Rachmaninoff No. 3.That aside, I'd also like to point out that Mendelssonh's Concerti (particularly No. 2) are fabulous and underplayed.