Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1

[liszmaninopin]

I was recently invited to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1 for a local concert next May.  Does anyone have any advice on how a concert normally goes?  I have never performed with an orchestra before, so I really don't know what to expect.   Right now, I'm in the process of learning the piece.

[JTownley]

What an intriguing position to be in. In my experience, pianists generally never learn a concerto fresh for a concert. They've played it years and years to the point where they could play it in their sleep before venturing out onto a stage with it. However, seeing as the concert is a year away, with a lot of hard work you just might pull it off. Mke sure you test it out in several recitals w/ a second piano before attempting the real thing. This is probably the best preparation you can do. Good luck. Make sure you videotape the performance. We here on the BBS would love to see it. Right, guys?
https://www.JoeTownley.com   Lots of piano videos!

[liszmaninopin]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I will try to have it completed by at least a month or two in advance of the concert so maybe I can play it with serveral pianos and have it all ironed out by the time I would actually perform.

[jmanpno]

I read this and am dying to know how it panned out.

JTownley sounds like a real twat! You have to play it in concert at least once fresh to be able to claim that it's practiced.  Haha I bet this turned out great

[birba]

Interesting post, though a bit out of date.  I was asked to play it and I only had 3 months to learn it.  It's not that difficult if you give up everything else (except eating and sleeping) and practise 6 hours a day for 3 months...Not everyone has the privilege of learning it, letting it go, re-learning it, letting it go, etc.

[thalbergmad]

I read this and am dying to know how it panned out.

I am not sure, but the pianist has retired and half the orchestra is dead, so it might be a bit late to find out.

Thal

[gep]

I was recently invited to play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto #1 for a local concert next May.  Does anyone have any advice on how a concert normally goes?  I have never performed with an orchestra before, so I really don't know what to expect.   Right now, I'm in the process of learning the piece.

Insofar as I understand, half the audience will be applauding if you finish at the same time as the orchestra...
Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of Chai-1, but if you play with some aplomb, you should be fine I think. Do tell us how it went!

All possible good luck!
gep