Hi. I need to prepare two Concertos for a competition - on the (exceedingly slim!) off-chance that I might make it through to the final round. I have until 2011 to "master" them. About 2 and a half years elapsed time, but about 300-500 hours study time for the two.

First one is chosen. No brainer. Beethoven No 3 in Cm.

I want something relatively easy (I know there is nothing easy in this list!) for the other. The Beethoven No 3 is comfortable - it will take a lot of work to get it to a good standard, but technically there is nothing in it that I can't do. But the B-list, from which the second has to be chosen, is much more difficult.

I have narrowed the choice down to the shortlist below. I rejected any that were obviously far too difficult (Liszt, Chopin, Prokofiev, others by Rachmaninov etc.) or that I did not enjoy listening to (like Glazunov's)

I have put them in order of listening preference. (It is weird that Rachmaninov, Brahms, and Ravel top the list, as I don't like many of their solo piano works). If I had unlimited technique I'd just choose Rachmaninov No.2. which is my all-time favourite piano piece. But I don't! I have severe limitations. My present standard of play is between Associate and Licentiate diploma levels. Of course I am hoping that by the time this competition comes around I'll be a lot better.

If anyone out there has experience playing any of these, I'd welcome advice on which would be the most sensible choice. One more thing - they are required to be played from memory, so shorter and/or easy to memorize might be a factor.

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

Thanks

i've never tried an entire concerto, as i'm not likely to ever play with an orchestra, but have played quite a few of my favourite parts of them over the years. The concerto i love the most of all is the Brahms 2nd, but it is one of the most demanding in the repertoire, and among the longest. I would say it's even tougher than both of Chopins or Liszts. The Grieg is probably the most popular of all, but fresh and invigorating as it is, its' reputation has suffered from it being played too much. The same can be said about Tchaikovskys. Scriabins does'nt sound too impossible, though i've never looked at the music for it.... It has grown on me though. If it was me... from the romantic concertos, i'd go for the Schumann. It's certainly demanding enough, but i felt i had more understanding of it than other ones, and though i only played excerpts...i seemed to fair better at them than others i'd looked at. Whichever you go for in the end, you've taken on a considerable challenge, best of luck.

#4! I'm so glad that was in the list, I was going to suggest it anyway.

Definately the Rachmaninov! The second piano concerto is fantastic, as is the theme of paganini, but i realise the concerto is incredibly difficult (i have the sheet music somewhere, and it looks very challenging!), and would require a huge amount of work!
If i was choosing, i would go for either of the rachmaninov's, the Tchaikovsky, or the Schumann.

Good luck with the competition, and with the hard task of choosing the best concerto to play!

Jacob.

In my teenage years, a few friends/classmates learned the Schumann or the Grieg as their first romantic concerto.

Comparatively speaking, the Ravel G Major isn't too demanding technically.

The Brahms 1st is probably OK if you have big, powerful hands, and it is much shorter than the 2nd.

Good luck!

yes absolutely rach concerto no 2!

ive heard it

Rach 2 may not be his most difficult concerto, but it is challenging enough that professional performances are sometimes adversely influenced by the difficulty. IMO, the Paganini variations are his best work for piano and orchestra. I love both Brahms, the Ravel and the Schumann. Of these, probably the Schumann is the easiest technically. I particularly admire the coda of its last movement, which is as long as any coda I know, is full of invention, and maintains a "finishing" feeling without ever sounding repetitive or outstaying its welcome.

As much as I and everyone one love the Rach 2, at the level you are at it may not be your best choice for a competition, it is probably one of the best known concerto's ever, and I would guess (apologies if I'm underestimating you) is at the higher end of your current level. So every single mistake or artistic choice you make everyone would have an opinion on it. (similar issues with the Tchaik and the Grieg)

Personally I would probably go for the Ravel.

sounds great fun and a fantastic opportunity - go for it and good luck D xx

The Shostakovich is fairly short, and not overly demanding. Quite a witty piece too!

Tom, will you do it with or without the music?
Bev.

I'm not a pianist, but I think you should consider, given the vast amount of piano literature, something less well known. If you do Rachmaninov, everyone is going to have their own opinion on how to play it. Whereas something less well played (Ravel/Scriabin?), you'll find it easier to make your own.

With other instruments it's not so much of an issue, because lets face it there are only 3 major viola concertos and about 4 cello concertos. But there are a hundred million piano concertos so you don't need to do the ones that someone else has already done far too well.

Thanks to everyone that has replied. Your thoughts, comments and advice helped a lot. After eliminating everything that is probably too difficult, or too popular, or too hackneyed the one I like best of what was left (Shostakovich/Ravel/Scriabin/Schumann) is:

Schumann Concerto in A minor, op.54 (which - unlike the Ravel - has improved with each listening)

But one day I will learn Rachmaninov No. 2 and the Paganini Rhapsody !!

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

Off topic but:

What a thing to say! I'm not a viola expert in the least, and only really know about 3 concerti, so I won't argue with that, but only 4 cello concerti?
Even if you only look at the very well-known concerti, you've got Dvorak, Elgar, Saint-Saens, Haydn (x2), Schumann, Tschaikovsky Rococo Variations, Bloch Schelomo, just to name a very few off the top of my head, and of course there's the multitudes that are fairly well known, if underplayed (Walton, Barber, CPE Bach, Finzi, Vivaldi plural...), and that's without even going into those that are not well known!

I consider myself very blessed to have chosen an instrument with such an enormous, and high-quality, repertoire.

I think technically the Shostakovich is the easiest, but Im really surpised its No 1, as its just for Piano with solo trumpet, and strings. No2 is far more popular and not too difficult. And shorter than No 1.
Are you sure its No 1 ?



And two by Shostakovich.

I like the Brahms No 1 Dm. I have tackled all the piano parts reasonably well, but have never had the opportunity to play with a live orchestra. I have a CD for the orchestral part (got it from a music shop in Toronto selling a lot of Glen Gould stuff), you just have to come in where indicated and play along with this 'virtual' orchestra. It sounds quite good actually and is the nearest I'll probably get to playing with LSO.

Good Luck!

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!

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!

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

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.

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!)

WOW!! Rachmaninoff No. 2...that's amazing!!!! I absolutely LOVE it!!!!

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

(Still wish it was the RachPag though!)

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...!!!

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