SCHUMANN vs GRIEG Piano Concerto

[jhon]

I'm posting this topic in lieu of the many resemblances between these two concertos - resemblances which are in the first place backed-up by the popular notion that Grieg COPIED from Schumann! (Grieg is about 40 years older than Schumann). Whether this is true or not, one thing for sure is that each concerto has something ORIGINAL. In fact, I DON'T agree that Grieg copied from Schumann - it's safer to say he was just "INSPIRED" from him. Anyway, tell in this thraed which concerto do you prefer and why. But first, here are some of my (subjective) comparisons among the two (in specific aspects):

DIFFICULTY
Generally, I believe it takes more stamina to play the Grieg one - yes, it is harder!

DEVELOPMENT (in the 1st movement)
Schumann's is much longer, with melodies artitically created - (I'm referring to the Passionato section just before the return to the main theme. Grieg's is too short - almsot lacks transition.)

CADENZA
Grieg's is more pompous spontaneous but Schumann's sounds more artistically created.

FINALE/CODA
Grieg's has a very beautiful one. Schumann's has but almost unnoticed since its 3rd movement is way too "linear" in terms of its mood.

I almost preferred the Grieg PC but I just couldn't. It is too SHOWY but the Schumann sounds more "intelligent" and "educated."  Also, the Grieg is more overplayed simply because all its movements are popular.  On the other hand, the Schumann 1st movement is overrated and the 2nd and 3rd ones are almost underrated

Please tell me your preference...

[Teddybear]

I think Grieg is more approachable, but once you learn to listen to the Schumann concerto it won't let you go. When I first heard it I was like... *yawn*... mmm, one nice phrase and that's it. I was a lot younger then. I'm surprised by how my preferences have changed. I like listening to Grieg PC but don't want to play it myself. I'm more into his Lyric Pieces nowadays.

I haven't heard a good recording of Grieg's concerto. If anyone can recommend some recording... please, let me know.

People keep saying that Schumann is a little more difficult than Grieg. I have no idea. I generally don't want to know what's supposed to be difficult. So far Schumann seems like something I can master with practice. I haven't touched the 3rd movement yet. It looks tricky on paper, but I have no idea whether it's going to be very difficult or not. What I assume is the difficulty in Grieg is choosing the tempi with taste. You can easily ruin the whole piece.

T

[Waldszenen]

I've played both and I've always considered Schumann's to be more difficult.

[apion]

I much prefer the Schumann -- although the Grieg was my first love.  The outer movements of the Schumann are technically and artistically superior in most respects.  The Schumann is solidly a tier one masterpiece.

[hodi]

i used to like the grieg pc a lot but now i hear the schumann concerto more, it's very creative, many original melodies.
i really like the end of the first movement, kinda mysterious.

[wintervind]

SCHUMANN!
For alot of the same reasons you mentioned above. I find his themes more inspired.
Because I have never played the Grieg I can't make a comparison as to which is more difficult. I have played the Schumann and I can tell you its no cake-walk thats for sure.

[jhon]

I've played both and I've always considered Schumann's to be more difficult.

Really?  As I mentioned above, I do like more the Schumann PC but still consider the Grieg as harder.  I play them both (with my teacher on the 2nd piano) but only their respective 1st and 2nd movements.  I'm still learning the 3rd of both and I somewhat notice the Schumann 3rd is more tricky.

When I was learning Schumann, it was easy to sight-read and there's not much "banging" of the keyboard" like in Grieg which is so tiring.  Also, will you agree that Grieg cadenza is definitely harder than Schumann's?

Aside from these, I even notice Schumann's orchestral limitation (so as Chopin) in that in many areas, the piano parts are often detracted and shrinked from the orchestra which often does unison with the piano.  (I think Grieg's orchestration abilities is better.)

I knew many young ones who could play Schumann.  There is one from Chopin Files another forum who posted a recording of his Schumann when he was 13.  Argerich played Schumann at 11.

[wintervind]

I knew many young ones who could play Schumann.  There is one from Chopin Files another forum who posted a recording of his Schumann when he was 13.  Argerich played Schumann at 11.

I doubt these are spectacular performances of this piece. I could have played Schumann when I was young but it would have been a terribly unmusical performance.
Many can learn the notes but to make music is a challenge in which many young pianists fail

[per the vet]

New to the forum.
Grieg vs Schumann's piano concertos: I always mix them up, and have for more than 60 years! Reason? We had an LP that I listened to early every morning (along with diverse other music!) that had the one on side 1 and the other on side 2 of the record! Lovely, both!
My piano-playing came to a stop (along with the horn) when I got my first clarinet as an 11-year old, but those two piano concertos (along with Mozart's 21st) still stick.