Piano Concerto

[ralessi]

   Being a freshman in college I am on the hunt for a concerto to prepare.  Wanting romantic or of romantic influence, I am looking for something not heard ALL THE TIME! but at the same time something big.  THis automatically eliminates Rach 1-3, Beethoven 1, 3 and 5, a girl in the same studio is playing mendelssohn, Liszt 2 is great but a bit too easy. Im looking strongly at Alkan, Ginastera, Balakirev, Possibly Barber, and definately Brahms 1 or 2.  ANy other suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

Cheers!
Ricky

[Pianostudy]

Gershwin Concerto in F.  It is quite techincally challenging and so much fun to play.  It is really an exciting piece to learn and perform.

[presto agitato]

    ANy other suggestions are GREATLY appreciated!

Mendelssohn Piano Concerto 2
John Field Piano Concertos
Sains Saens Piano Concertos (Num 2 is overplayed)

[pianiststrongbad]

the scriabin concerto

[apion]

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.

[ralessi]

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

[steinwayguy]

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 3
Rachmaninoff- any of em, especially 3
Brahms- either
Liszt- either
Beethoven- 4, 5
Mozart- 20, 23 (maaaaybe)
Bartok- 2, 3 (maybe)
and others...

[apion]

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

Ricky,

The Brahms piano concerti are hyper-difficult, and rank with Rach 3, Bartok 2, and Prokofiev 2 and 3 as among the most challenging.  But they are also among the most rewarding.  They're just incredible!

Moreover,  the Liszt and Chopin pieces you mention suggest that you could likely tackle either Brahms concerto -- with enough dedication and work.

If you find these too difficult, there are a dozen or more concerti that are one tier lower than these Titanic masterpieces.

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 3
Rachmaninoff- any of em, especially 3
Brahms- either
Liszt- either
Beethoven- 4, 5
Mozart- 20, 23 (maaaaybe)
Bartok- 2, 3 (maybe)
and others...

I agree with SteinwayGuy.  All 3 Liszt concerti (1, 2 & Totentanz) are tours de force and nearly rival the Brahms / Rachmaninov / Prokofiev concerti in difficulty.  Beethoven 4 and 5 are also among my favorites, although not always as impressive technically as the others mentioned.

[klavierkonzerte]

sauer no.1 i was reading throu it last week and i liked it
kullak    i don't know why many hate it i think it's great
any concerto by medtner
dvorak  one of my favorites
hummel A minor but it's not very demanding
any rubenstien concerto

[Nightscape]

What about the Lowell Liebermann Concerto no.2?  I'm not exactly sure about the difficulty.... but it definately has a strong romantic influence and as a newer work it isn't performed a lot yet (although it has started to creep into many pianists repetoires).

It's arguably been called the best piano concerto since Barber's.... I think it's worth at least having a listen to.

[anda]

khatchaturian!!! (under-under-underplayed, and it's great)

if not,
ireland
britten

(romantic influenced, and underplayed)

[pianowelsh]

Scriabin concerto - oh yes!!! also Hummel concertos are underplayed and not as difficult as ones like Brahms and Balakirev but if you have the level for these you could look at the emil von sauer concerto in e  min a fine concerto and very little played.

[shasta]

Ginastera's 1st
Ginastera's 2nd - 1st mvmt is 32 var on theme of Beeth., 2nd mvmt is LH alone!!
Pierne's C minor
Clara Schumann's A minor
Clara Schumann's Konzertsatz
Lalo's F minor
MacDowell's A minor
MacDowell's D minor
Roussel's G minor
Piston's Concertino
Chaminade's Concertstuck
Gottschalk's Grand Tarantelle

[pianonut]

i want to learn leroy anderson's piano concerto, but it's not really considered mainstream repertoire (too jazzy, i guess).  i love the 'colors.'

[dbrainiak914]

If you're looking for a technique showfest - STRAUSS BURLESKE
Truly 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 G
One 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.

[apion]

If you're looking for a technique showfest - STRAUSS BURLESKE
Truly 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 G
One 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.

I love the Burleske in d minor.  Crazy is a good word to describe it (I also use "Crazy" to describe Liszt's Totentanz in d minor).

The Ravel G Major is also an excellent choice (but the finale is B R U T A L).

[dbrainiak914]

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.

[apion]

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.

The finale to Ravel G Major is a real knucklebuster (yeah, it may sound easy .......)  -- if you can pull it off TO PERFECTION, the judges will be IMPRESSED! 

[DarkWind]

I also say go with the Gershwin. I love that work! So beautiful and powerful, and I know you will leave your audience pleased. They'll probably be happy you played for them such a fantastic, memorable, and great work, and you will too, with a feeling of satisfaction after playing the lively and stirring final movement!

[lfischer]

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.

[apion]

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.

I forgot to mention the Gershwin Piano Concerto in F -- great piece.  For personal bias reasons only, I suggest that you stay clear of the Dvorak (some people respect it: I do not).

[theodopolis]

I've noticed it already mentioned, but Gabriel Pierne's Concerto in Cm is an excellent concerto to consider.
Try the 'Listening Room' at Hyperion Records website. It has the Pierne final movement for stream.

Theodopolis

[brewtality]

Try the Henselt concerto! An amazing piece.

[steinwayguy]

Just go ahead and do Brahms B-flat.

[Waldszenen]

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.

[apion]

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.

I believe that the Brahms 2 is a "greater" concerto (and, indeed, it is the greatest of all concertos), but, as to overall difficulty, I declare a tie between Brahms 2 and Rach 3.

As an aside, until your post, I've never heard anything good about the Mendelssohn #2.  What gives?