Difficulty of Rachmaninoff Concerti

[Pianostudy]

What do you all think about the order of difficulty of the Rach concerti (including Rhapsody on a theme of Paginini)?  I'm pretty certain the 3rd is regarded as the most difficult primarily because of the length and stamina required, but what do you all think, and what makes each one difficult?

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

1. Paganini Rhapsody

2. Concerto 1

3. Concerto 2

4. Concerto 4

5. Concerto 3


I'm really not sure... So far, the only one that I have truly focused my attention on is the 3rd.

[steinwayguy]

From what I hear...

easiest to most difficult

Concerto 1
Concerto 2
Paganini
Concerto 4
Concerto 3

[musicsdarkangel]

I'm not sure how to put the 4th in terms of difficulty.


Concerto 1
Concerto 2
Pagannini Rhapsody
Concerto 3


That Pagannini really flies.  I'm playing it over the summer, I hope it goes well.

[Skeptopotamus]

1
2
4
paganini
3

[etudes]

never brave enough to try any of them
i'm not sure about the first becoz i have never seen a note of them
so i would rank as i know
2
4
Paganini
3 (of course)
so sad cant play any of them 

[fred smalls]

     I was just thinking of posting a thread about this.  I have no idea of the order as I cannot play any of them (in time, in time...). But, I have been under the impression it was:

Paganini
No.2
No.4
No.1
No.3

Also, I've always thought No.1 was was very difficult, yet everyone has said it is the easiest. If that is so, I need to learn it (in time, in time...) becuase it sure sounds the most impressive. Yes, thats right, more impressive than No.3 to me.

Peace
Fred Smalls

[etudes]

     I was just thinking of posting a thread about this.  I have no idea of the order as I cannot play any of them (in time, in time...). But, I have been under the impression it was:

Paganini
No.2
No.4
No.1
No.3

Also, I've always thought No.1 was was very difficult, yet everyone has said it is the easiest. If that is so, I need to learn it (in time, in time...) becuase it sure sounds the most impressive. Yes, thats right, more impressive than No.3 to me.

Peace
Fred Smalls

i dont know much about 1 but i dont think that Paganini is the easiest. btw it looks easiest sound so easy but i'm sure its very hard too play (for me i think is harder than #2) (but i cant play any of them)
Peace too
Regards

[PianoStudentReady2Perform]

The consensus seems to be 1, 2, then paganini, then 4, and 3.  I would suggest, however that 1,2, and paganini are about the same in terms of difficulty, then 4,
then 3 being most difficult.  If you absolutely had to put some kind of order on them, I would say 2 is easiest, then Paganini, then no. 1, although this ranking is marginal, as all three are very close in difficulty.  I really do not think that the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is more difficult than nos 1 and 2, as many of you have it.  If anything, it is "easier" (easier a very relative, intangible  term) than at least no. 1, if not 2 as well.

[Awakening]

From what I gather (easiest to hardest)

1) 2nd Piano Concerto
2) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
3) 1st Piano Concerto
4) 4th Piano Concerto
5) 3rd Piano Concerto

[apion]

I'm not sure how to put the 4th in terms of difficulty.


Concerto 1
Concerto 2
Pagannini Rhapsody
Concerto 3


That Pagannini really flies.  I'm playing it over the summer, I hope it goes well.

Ditto!

[fred smalls]

From what I gather (easiest to hardest)

1) 2nd Piano Concerto
2) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
3) 1st Piano Concerto
4) 4th Piano Concerto
5) 3rd Piano Concerto

That sounds reasonable.

[musicsdarkangel]

Ditto!

We shall keep in touch over the summer

what's your email?

i'm kingsha@yahoo.com

maybe we can give eachother advice?

[Craig]

I would rank them as follows (easiest to hardest):

1, 2, Rhapsody-all same in difficulty, although difficult for different reasons
4
3

[Pianostudy]

I would rank them as follows (easiest to hardest):

1, 2, Rhapsody-all same in difficulty, although difficult for different reasons
4
3

I'd agree

[rob47]

on a side note Rach no. 1 has the best cadenza ever.....next to maybe the ones from prokofiev no.2. 

[fred smalls]

on a side note Rach no. 1 has the best cadenza ever.....next to maybe the ones from prokofiev no.2. 

yes. yes. yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. YEs. YEs.YEs. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES. YES

[hodi]

one thing is for sure: rach3 is the most difficult