Favourite 5 Piano Concertos

Name your top five favurite Piano Concertos in order. Maybe with a brief description of each.

I'm having awful trouble choosing 1).....

1)

2) Mozart 20th K466, Mozart 27th K595, Beethoven 3rd op.37

3)Mozart 23rd K488, Mozart 24th K491, Mozart 21st k467, Beethoven 4th op.58

4)Mozart 25th K503, Mozart 9th K271

5)Mozart 26th K537, Chopin No. 2, Mendelssohn No.1

This is ridiculous with the amount of Mozart, I know....but that's seriously what I think.

The second place pieces are all obvious. Same for the 3rd place.

You might wonder why I like beethoven's 3rd better than his fourth, but IMO it really is just better.

I love both though

4th place..obvious again. In the 25th, the interplay between the piano and orchestra is completely perfect. There's the best balance between piano and orchestra that I've heard. In this piece, it's not a battle between piano and orchestra, but total harmony.

For the fifth place, I know alot of people don't like the 26th, but I think it's good, and the sparkling hints of virtuosity are nice. Chopin's second piano concerto I prefer to the first, although it's v good as well.

Again, my favourite Mendelssohn piano concerto.

Can't choose 1) :)

Here is my top ten list. :-)

# Busoni in C Major: No other Piano Concerto I have heard soars to such heights as does the Busoni. The longest of all Piano Concertos, it stands at a good seventy miunutes, and every note therein is a treasure. At times it has the bearing of a Symphony, the daring piano part, which puts demands not often seen on the performer, reminds us however that this is indeed a a concerto of the highest order. Thanks in part to the efforts of John Ogdon and Ronald Stevenson, this work is finding its hallowed place in the repetoire. The last movement, with men's chorus, is one of the most radiant evocations in all the literature. A must have for any serious collector.

# Medtner 2nd in C Minor: Dedicated to Rachmaninoff, the Second of Medtner's three entries into the genre is a work full of vigor and vitality, bursting forth with a wealth of energy that quickly establishes the main theme to be heard throughout the work. It demonstrates a mastery of understanding of the piano as well as of the orchestra and their relationship. Unfortunately, given the lack of recognition with which Medtner was received, This work has fallen into obscurity. Sorabji himself thought its neglect "a scandal". This work of massive proportions deserves to reclaim its place among the great works of the early twentieth century, or at the very least, of the Post-Romantic Era.

# Tchaikovsky 1st in Bb Minor: There is something endearing in a work that has survived such brutal critiques as levied upon it by its original dedicatee, and the Tchaikovsky 1st demonstrates them to the full. Though it was criticized for its bizarre form and the irregular use of the piano, those techniques have given it a freshness for each and every hearing. Some works, good works in fact, tend to become too familiar at repeated listenings. For myself, the Tchaikovsky is always new and vibrant at every hearing, for which I ascribe to it greatness.

# Corigliano: This work must without a doubt be reckoned the finest Concerto written for Piano in recent memory. The barbarism of the first movement is matched only by the unearthliness of the third. Based off of a simple three note motto, Bb, B, C heard in rapid succession, it does its best to be as insane as possible, acocmplishing this quite well. I am reminded of a roller coaster in portions of this, only one that is in serious need of repair. Definitely an exciting work, and one not to be missed!

# Brahms 1st in D Minor: An early work from Brahm's pen, and one that appears a bit Brucknerian in its drama. From the opening fanfare, one can tell that this is intended as a very serious and powerful work. The first time I heard this piece was on the radio, and I only caught the last two movements. I reached my destination during the second movement, and was so captivated, I had to wait till the end of the third movement in the summer heat and find out what piece it was before I could leave. It was even more satisfying when I listened to it whole. Definitely worth buying as soon as you can.

# Korngold in C# Minor for the Left Hand: One of the few piano concertos that starts with the piano solo, this work is very strange to hear from Korngold's pen. It is the first of a series of Concerto's commissioned by Paul Wittgenstein, the early twentieth century pianist who had lost his right arm during the war. The work is in one continuous movement with impressions of a scherzo and adagio, but throughout each, the incessant upswing motif appears that was stated at the outset of the work. Listening to this Concerto, it is hard to believe that it is all being performed by one hand, such is the mastery of Korngold's work. Certainly worth finding in my opinion.

# Barber: One of Barber's later works, the Piano Concerto represents him near his least tonal. Again, this work starts with solo piano, and shares many things in common with the Corigliano in terms of its intensity. But the Barber possesses a more refined and sculptured appearance, while the Corigliano is crusty and jagged. There is a sense of detachment, almost mercurial in the first two movements. The last in the unusual 5/8 metre, however, displays an animalism that leaves one breathless as the piece finally collapses of its own weight in a large heap at the sound of the tam-tam. Strongly recommended!

# Rachmaninoff 2nd in C Minor: The story of Rachmaninoff's recovery from the depression that set in after the premiere of his first Symphony is well known, and shan't be repeated here. This piece was one of the very first Piano Concertos that I had the occassion to listen to, and still it grabs at my heart and draws me into its embrace. The opening chords set the ambiance for the remainder of the piece, and it holds up to that brilliantly.

# Bartok 3rd: The 3rd Concerto was the last thing Bartok ever wrote. At this stage in his life, he also was just trying to write music, not shock audiences as he once had. Thus, the last of his works possesses a congeniality about it that is missing from most of his other music. This quality makes this work stad out above the others, as it shows a mastery of form and technique, as well as giving the audience something to enjoy.

# Liebermann 2nd: A limber, full-blooded work, marking the return to tonality by many modern composers, is certianly worth a gander. Though not as athletic as his first, Liebermann's second offing in the Piano Concerto genre is more focused on making itself referential, though they continuously shift from one page to the next, making it hard to describe in simple text. While using a twelve-tone row in part, it still manages to convey a sense of tonality, as well as craft melodies that soar above the din of the rest of the music. Quite a change in focus for modern composers, and certainly worth a listen.

I haven't listened to that many piano concertos, but I'd like to submit the Rheinberger concerto as one of my favorites.

Here are my top five favorite piano (keyboard) concertos (as of right now):

1) Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4

2) Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1

3) Bach: Concerto in D-Minor BWV 1052

4) Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26

5) Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 19

I really like Liszt's 2nd - really neat how he metamorphosizes the themes and all.

Barber's Piano Concerto is really moving as well - a very nice balance between raw emotions and slick structure.

Gershwein's Piano Concertos are really fun to listen to as well.

On a more modern note, I quite liked Adam's Century Rolls immediately from the first listening; feels kinda of raggy/jazzy-ish like Gershwein's, but with a more modern twists and some neat structural progressions associated with much post-minimalistic music.

Don't know if those are my top five - but they are certainly up there.

What are your best 3 Piano concerti? (by any composer)

Letehn - (or others) Can you please move this one to repertoire? Thank you kindly.

For me the 3 best piano concertos are Chopin's first piano concerto, Saint saens piano concerto (i don't know the number but it's the most knowed) and Rachmaninnoff the second.

Tchaikovsky's no.1, Chopins no.1, and grieg's most famous one (not sure but i think it might be the first)

Beethoven's Emperor

Grieg's Am Concerto

Mozart's 14th

This was really hard to decide on... very very hard.

Oh man, best 3? I think it probably changes over time...

At the moment I think my choices would be Beethoven's 4th, Tchaikovsky No.1 (oh yeah, that opening at max volume!), Liszt 1st.

This really is tough. My list (today...it'll change next week) would probably be:

1. Mozart: #20 in D minor, K. 466

2. Beethoven: #2 in B-flat, Op. 19

3. Tchaikowsky: #1 in B-flat minor, Op 23.

Oh damn!! I can't leave this off the list!

4. Rachmaninov: #2 in C minor, Op. 18.

That's four. So sue me!

There are tons of good Piano Concertos out there. You should check out Hyperion Records 'Romantic Piano Concerto' series. It's recording Piano Concertos from the nineteenth and early twentieth century that have fallen into obscurity for one reason or another. Some real gems in the series (along with a couple disappointments too).

Regarldess, my top three Piano Concertos would be:

1. Busoni Concerto in C Major

2. Medtner 2nd Concerto in C Minor

3. Tchaikovsky 1st Concerto in B-Flat Minor

Tchaikovsky's 1st's doing well isn't it?

I know I've already voted, but I was feeling guilty at leaving out Brahms' 2nd and Beethoven's 5th.

Amazing. You have no idea how hard it was to leave those off my list. They're both definitely the next two on mine. I just happen to enjoy Beethoven's B-flat more than the Emperor, and Brahms is great, but not as satisfying to me as the others I mentioned.

my thread wasnt good enough :ninja:

even harder time picking out top 3. it has changed again...

1)mozart 27th or 24th

2)beethoven 3rd or 4th (emperor is overrated IMO)

3)mozart 20th or 21st

lol. that's still 6...

Don't worry David, the two threads will become one soon enough!

EDIT: Well waddaya know.

I'd have to say...

1 - Gershwin - Rapsody in Blue

2 - Rachmaninov - #2 in C minor

3 - Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody

4 - Gershwin - concerto in F III - allegro agitato

5 - Shastakovich concerto #12

Shostakovich Concerto No. 12??? Didn't he only write TWO Piano Concertos?

hmmmmmmmmmmm................................

1John Corliagno's Piano Concerto

2Henry Cowell's first piano Concerto

3Gershwin F

4Brahms 1st Dminor

5Warsaw Concerto(can't think of the composer)/Rach 2

Corliagno made me a man.

Although Rach's 2 made me a woman.

Originally posted by Chad dream eyes@Oct 8 2005, 10:34 PM

hmmmmmmmmmmm................................

1John Corliagno's Piano Concerto

2Henry Cowell's first piano Concerto

3Gershwin F

4Brahms 1st Dminor

5Warsaw Concerto(can't think of the composer)/Rach 2

Corliagno made me a man.

Although Rach's 2 made me a woman.

The Warsaw Concerto is by Richard Addinsell.

And yes!!! Somebody else who loves the Corigliano Piano Concerto! Now that's a true triumph of the 20th century. :-)

Wow, several of the concertos listed in this thread I didn't even know existed!! They must be 20th century? I think my favorite piano concertos are Beethoven's, although I like the themes of Tchaikovsky's best of all.

Ooh, I can't believe two other people have heard Addinsell. Pretty good piece. I tried to learn it at one point, failed miserably, but...

As for the Rheinberger concerto: it was composed in the 1870s, if I remember correctly. I'm championing it as the great forgotten piano concerto of the 19th century. It was part of the standard piano repertoire as late as the 1890s, yet by 1910 it was almost completely forgotten.

I don't understand that about Rheinberger. He's so damn good.

I've been thinking about it, and the only thing I can come up with that puts him out of Brahms' league is the fact that he's sincere (and sometimes, maybe a little too sweet) where Brahms is often cynical, which gives Brahms an edge.

Unlike Brahms, Rheinberger also cadences once in a while, and when he does, it's sometimes a little cheesy-romantic (inappropriately); in an eight-part, a cappella Mass sporting some of the best polyphony of the 19th Century, you don't need to end movements with goofy romantic cadences. I think he was trying to be modern in spite of himself, and it's unbecoming. There are some times when Brahms seems constitutionally incapable of coming to a full, satisfying cadence, though. There was one piece of his - can't remember which one - where in eight minutes of music I counted only half-a-dozen full cadences. I was really young then, and very much a junkie for resolution of musical tension, so it put me off Brahms until I gained an appreciation for the skill that kind of thing takes.

It's the middle of the night and I can't sleep...so I have no idea whether any of that made sense. And I'm not sure I care.

I'd have to say...

1 - Gershwin - Rapsody in Blue

2 - Rachmaninov - #2 in C minor

3 - Liszt - Hungarian Rhapsody

4 - Gershwin - concerto in F III - allegro agitato

5 - Shastakovich concerto #12

Shostakovich Concerto No. 12???

Beethoven 4

Beethoven 5

Henselt Op.16

Schumann A Minor

Busoni C Major