Choosing A Concerto For A Competition, Too much choice Options

[Mad Tom]

I was going to suggest Schumann too. What and when are the qualifying rounds, Tom?

Qualifiers are selected on the evidence of an unedited, high-quality DVD to be submitted about March 2011 (!) comprising performances of:
1. Classical sonata by Haydn or Mozart
2. Virtuoso Etude by Chopin or Liszt (I think they say Virtuoso to rule out the 3 Nouvelle Etudes)
3. Romantic piece of choice (I was undecided between Chabrier, Grieg, and Sibelius - if Sibelius can be categoprized as one of the Romantics - but plenty of time to decide)

There are then two rounds of solo recitals of 1 hour and 1 hr 15 min respectively (there are some slight conatraints on the selection of repertoire - but you have very much a free hand) to select six finalists to play in the two-concerto final round.

As you can see - if I end up performing either of these concertos with an orchestra the odds are it will NOT be in the finals of this competition!

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

[Digby]

I was going to suggest Schumann too. What and when are the qualifying rounds, Tom?

Qualifiers are selected on the evidence of an unedited, high-quality DVD to be submitted about March 2011 (!) comprising performances of:
1. Classical sonata by Haydn or Mozart
2. Virtuoso Etude by Chopin or Liszt (I think they say Virtuoso to rule out the 3 Nouvelle Etudes)
3. Romantic piece of choice (I was undecided between Chabrier, Grieg, and Sibelius - if Sibelius can be categoprized as one of the Romantics - but plenty of time to decide)

There are then two rounds of solo recitals of 1 hour and 1 hr 15 min respectively (there are some slight conatraints on the selection of repertoire - but you have very much a free hand) to select six finalists to play in the two-concerto final round.

As you can see - if I end up performing either of these concertos with an orchestra the odds are it will NOT be in the finals of this competition!

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

but it'll be great fun preparing - all the best with the competition, and look forward to you keeping us posted.

[Oldpiano]

I was going to suggest Schumann too. What and when are the qualifying rounds, Tom?

Qualifiers are selected on the evidence of an unedited, high-quality DVD to be submitted about March 2011 (!) comprising performances of:
1. Classical sonata by Haydn or Mozart
2. Virtuoso Etude by Chopin or Liszt (I think they say Virtuoso to rule out the 3 Nouvelle Etudes)
3. Romantic piece of choice (I was undecided between Chabrier, Grieg, and Sibelius - if Sibelius can be categoprized as one of the Romantics - but plenty of time to decide)

There are then two rounds of solo recitals of 1 hour and 1 hr 15 min respectively (there are some slight conatraints on the selection of repertoire - but you have very much a free hand) to select six finalists to play in the two-concerto final round.

As you can see - if I end up performing either of these concertos with an orchestra the odds are it will NOT be in the finals of this competition!

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

but it'll be great fun preparing - all the best with the competition, and look forward to you keeping us posted.

Really good luck with this, MadTom!

[Mad Tom]

Thank you all for the good wishes. I really appreciate them. I am going to need the good luck that you are wishing me. Right now it seems a bit like your local Sunday League team going up against the Premier League!

But at least it is going to make me work my socks off for the next two years (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wacko.gif)

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

[Robodoc]

1. Rachmaninov Concerto No.2 in C minor, op.18
2. Brahms Concerto No.2 in B flat major, op.83
3. Ravel Concerto in G major
4. Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, op.43
5. Brahms Concerto No.1 in D minor, op.15
6. Tchaikovsky Concerto No.1 in B flat minor, op.23
7. Scriabin Concerto in F sharp minor
8. Schumann Concerto in A minor, op.54
9. Grieg Concerto in A minor
10. Shostakovich Concerto No.1
11. Dvorak Concerto in G minor, op.33

Hi Tom,

Just got back from Chetham's (see another thread and I'll email you). You asked me this a couple of weeks ago. My favourites would be 1-5, 8 or 11. If it were me I would probably pick the Ravel, not least because it's more of a contrast with Beethoven than the Brahms (which I love) and the Rach which are just too hackneyed (IMO).

However, play to your strengths and tastes, not mine or anyone else's. Don't pick one because it's easier/shorter/less famous/easier on the ear: Pick it because you think you can do the most with it. Good luck.

[Mad Tom]

It dawned on me yesterday, as I took another look at Rach 2, that I have gone about this in the wrong way. The chances of even getting into the competition proper, let alone reaching the last six are infinitesimal. But should a miracle happen, and I find myself in the last round, why would I pass up the chance of a lifetime to play my two all time favourite piano pieces (Beethoven Concerto No3 and Rachmaninoff Concerto No2) with a top-class orchestra?

So Rachmnaninoff No 2 it is! (Besides it doesn't look anywhere near so difficult as it did 18 months ago!)

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

[missypiano]

It dawned on me yesterday, as I took another look at Rach 2, that I have gone about this in the wrong way. The chances of even getting into the competition proper, let alone reaching the last six are infinitesimal. But should a miracle happen, and I find myself in the last round, why would I pass up the chance of a lifetime to play my two all time favourite piano pieces (Beethoven Concerto No3 and Rachmaninoff Concerto No2) with a top-class orchestra?

So Rachmnaninoff No 2 it is! (Besides it doesn't look anywhere near so difficult as it did 18 months ago!)

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

WOW!! Rachmaninoff No. 2...that's amazing!!!! I absolutely LOVE it!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap.gif)

[freda_bloogs]

Excellent reasoning, MadTom, not at all mad. Go for it

(Still wish it was the RachPag though!)

[Oldpiano]

It dawned on me yesterday, as I took another look at Rach 2, that I have gone about this in the wrong way. The chances of even getting into the competition proper, let alone reaching the last six are infinitesimal. But should a miracle happen, and I find myself in the last round, why would I pass up the chance of a lifetime to play my two all time favourite piano pieces (Beethoven Concerto No3 and Rachmaninoff Concerto No2) with a top-class orchestra?

So Rachmnaninoff No 2 it is! (Besides it doesn't look anywhere near so difficult as it did 18 months ago!)

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

I wondered if this might be of interest to you: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle4676478.ece

Though I've not listened to it yet.

[missypiano]

It dawned on me yesterday, as I took another look at Rach 2, that I have gone about this in the wrong way. The chances of even getting into the competition proper, let alone reaching the last six are infinitesimal. But should a miracle happen, and I find myself in the last round, why would I pass up the chance of a lifetime to play my two all time favourite piano pieces (Beethoven Concerto No3 and Rachmaninoff Concerto No2) with a top-class orchestra?

So Rachmnaninoff No 2 it is! (Besides it doesn't look anywhere near so difficult as it did 18 months ago!)

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

I wondered if this might be of interest to you: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle4676478.ece

Though I've not listened to it yet.

I'm going to the Royal Albert hall tomorrow to watch him perform the Rachmaninov No.2...can't wait...!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Oldpiano]

It dawned on me yesterday, as I took another look at Rach 2, that I have gone about this in the wrong way. The chances of even getting into the competition proper, let alone reaching the last six are infinitesimal. But should a miracle happen, and I find myself in the last round, why would I pass up the chance of a lifetime to play my two all time favourite piano pieces (Beethoven Concerto No3 and Rachmaninoff Concerto No2) with a top-class orchestra?

So Rachmnaninoff No 2 it is! (Besides it doesn't look anywhere near so difficult as it did 18 months ago!)

(IMG:http://www.trose.net/pimage/gpiano2.gif)

I wondered if this might be of interest to you: http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle4676478.ece

Though I've not listened to it yet.

I'm going to the Royal Albert hall tomorrow to watch him perform the Rachmaninov No.2...can't wait...!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

You're very lucky!! I hope you have a great time!