Best Concerto

Shamefully, I haven't heard any of his music (conciously)

Where should I start?

If you're used to more tonal stuff, start with his 3rd piano concerto which he wrote close to his death. I absolutely love the the 2nd movement - at least the first 4 minutes :whistling:

And his concerto for orchestra is also wonderful.

What do you mean by string fifths? I haven't listened for at least 3 years to that second concerto. All into Hamuzu VGM and stuff. :)

What did you not like about the second movement Nikolas? (or does "killing" mean something good?)

If you're used to more tonal stuff, start with his 3rd piano concerto which he wrote close to his death. I absolutely love the the 2nd movement - at least the first 4 minutes :)

And his concerto for orchestra is also wonderful.

The third piano concerto is actually the very last work he (did not have time to) complete(d).

The last 40 or so measures were not orchestrated at the time of his death.

Which I guess adds a certain poignancy to the exuberant joy of the movement.

the slow movement is like a sort of choral, with an interlude of "night music". it has a terrible feeling of nostalgia, pain, and sorrow.

The opening movement has this incredible light texture, like vapors and mist, with this enchanting rythmic-yet-almost-static, lyrical theme in the piano.

It's an incredible piece, and an amazing testament to cap off Bartok's already brilliant career.

Killing means good! I love it! It's haunting... completely!

I am 99% sure it's the 2nd concerto, but just in case I'll listen later on today, in case it's the 3rd (doubt it though).

Generally Bartok is tonal, I'd say...

His Romanian folk songs (for piano and for string orchestra) are also marvelous, Mark. Much worth a listen.

His Romanian folk songs (for piano and for string orchestra) are also marvelous, Mark. Much worth a listen.

I love them. I missed a concert that included them here. :D

Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9

(Especially the Rondeau-Presto Finale)

< I said that? Wow, a lot has changed.

Anyway, Mozart's 23rd and 24th are absolutely and without question contestants for the top five concerti ever written. Actually, I'm going to go a little further and say that one of those two has to be in the top three of any concerti, in any style, for any arrangement, in history.

I also like 20 Mvmt. 3 and 21 Mvmt. 3 very much.

Notes on Mozart's Piano Concerti (went much longer than I expected)

9 Mvmt. 3 is just okay, 5 Mvmt. 1 is very good (I like the allusion to Piano Sonata No. 1 in C and the followup cadential material and its articulation in the repeat), 6 Mvmt. 1 is very catchy, 8 Mvmt. 3 is very boring (the only Mozart piece I feel is extremely dull and endless), 10 Mvmt. 3 is brilliant, 15 Mvmt. 3 is fun and resembles 22 Mvmt. 3 (which is also brilliant), 16 Mvmt. 1 (nice), Mvmt. 3 (catchy and .. flawless), 17 Mvmt. 3 (fun and catchy [we have Mozart's parrot to prove that!]), 18 Mvmt. 3 is fun, 19 Mvmt. 1 (genius), Mvmt. 3 (same as the Mvmt. 3 of 18?), 20 is brilliant, 21 Mvmt. 3 is wonderful, 23 Mvmt. 1, Mvmt. 2, and Mvmt. 3 especially are all perfect and heavenly, 24 is amazingly flawless, 25 is majestic and lots of fun, 26 is cloudy and free in every respect, 27 is pure genius in Mvmt. 3 (note Schumann's allusion to a phrase of this movement in his own Florestan of Carnaval). 28 would have been in G :P and would have been completely new in every respect and as complex as his music was growing, he would take beauty from 23, mystery from 24, majesty from 25, freedom from 26, and humor from 27 (in Mvmt. 3 at one minute and also in the final bars [the lebrato of the final chord] of the piece, you can hear Mozart screaming saying "I'm not done yet, I haven't said all I have to say, and I'm longing for spring! (Which is actually the movement he used to write a vocal piece entitled just that)" and add it all up into something that exists only in Mozart's pauper grave.

His flute concerti, the concerto for flute, harp, and orchestra, and his final Clarinet Concerto in A[!] are all superb.

Anyway, Mozart's 23rd and 24th are absolutely and without question contestants for the top five concerti ever written. Actually, I'm going to go a little further and say that one of those two has to be in the top three of any concerti, in any style, for any arrangement, in history.

Um, you need to listen to something more than Mozart.:)

I cannot say that I am personally familiar with those two concerti, but how can you say that they are better than the Beethoven, Brahms, Grieg(piano), Elgar(cello concerto), Dvorak, and Tchaikovsky concerti?

I do listen to many other composers besides Mozart. I can say that for certainty because I've actually listened to them. You need to start listening to Mozart! :)

I do listen to many other composers besides Mozart. I can say that for certainty because I've actually listened to them. You need to start listening to Mozart! :)

You honestly don't know me. I am Mozart's biggest fan. But seriously, there are plenty of other concerti that are better.

Hmm.. listen to them first.

Hmm.. listen to them first.

I probably have heard them. All I am saying is the Beethoven's violin concerto is better. Tchaikovsky's piano concerto is better. Brahms violin concerto is better, Elgar's cello concerto is better, and Grieg's piano concerto is better. That's at least 5 concertos that I can name off of the top of my head that are better than any of Mozart's.

I cannot say that I am personally familiar with those two concerti . . . That's at least 5 concertos that I can name off of the top of my head that are better than any of Mozart's.

Please become personally familiar before you start making assumptions, or you'll become personally familiar with a little boot-shaped friend of mine.

what is WITH you people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

better shmetter!

hasn't the "top 5 composers" thread taught you ANYTHING?

this whole idea that one concerto is "better" than another is ludicrous.

I can see someone debating the relative merits of two pieces by the SAME composer, but going on about works by different composers is just plain stupid.

besides, the entire concept of "better" is nothing more than a reflection of your own personal bias and preference.

what exactly constitutes the "objective" standard by which this "better" is calculated?

Can you list them in such a way that a panel of judges could use your standards and come to a uniform consensus? If not... then WHAT'S THE POINT??????????

Wow, glad I got THAT off my chest.

but can you tell I'm pissed at all this petty and pointless bickering?

QC, as usual, is right.

or you'll become personally familiar with a little boot-shaped friend of mine.

I was kidding... I wasn't actually going to kick him. ;)

I was kidding... I wasn't actually going to kick him. ;)

I was. :)

I just can't think of fitting 5 into a top list.

I could go for 20 maybe, but then again maybe even more...

Prokofiev, 2, 3

Ravel in G

Mozart 23, 24 (C minor right?)

Beethoven 3, 4, 5

Rachmaninov 2, 3 Rapsody on Pagannini

Saint saens 3

Back double concerto in D minor (100x something)

Schinttke for piano and string orchestra (I have a recording, anybod teased enough on this one? It's great and almost tonal!)

Brahms violin concerto

Schostackovich concertino for 2 pianos (op. 100? I think)

Schostachovich 2 (It is in Fantasia 2000! Fantastic piece of animation with a great recording (a little commercialized though :w00t:)

Plenty more I think, and I know I couldn't chose between those I mentioned...

Oh gried, Schumman... whoops forgot those... See??? Mind never keeps enough info.

and...

I agree with QC :P

Mendelssohn's double concerto for violin, piano, and string quartet (orchestra) in d-min

Chausson's double for violin, piano, and string quartet.

Grieg's piano concerto.

Bartok - Concerto for Orchestra

Bartok - Viola Concerto

I

've found I don't care as much for the concerto. I'm falling terribly in love with the Franck violin sonata, as well as the Hindemith viola sonata. Something about an intimate piece of music written for two dedicated musicians like that just really speaks to me.

I just can't think of fitting 5 into a top list.

I could go for 20 maybe, but then again maybe even more...

Prokofiev, 2, 3

Ravel in G

... snip...

I agree with QC :toothygrin:

hehehe thanks for agreeing :w00t:

BTW, no Ravel Pour la Main Gauche???????

I'm always surprised at how many people love the Concerto in G but forget to mention the gorgeous Left Hand concerto... I've performed both, and have a serious weak spot for the left hand one.

Mendelssohn's Piano concerto No.3 In E minor.

Mendelssohn's Piano concerto No. 2 In D minor Op.40.

Chopin Piano concerto In E minor No.1

Grieg Piano concerto In A minor.

Bach Keybourd Concerto In D minor.

Bartok's "Concerto for Orchestra"

Poulenc's "Piano Concerto for Two Pianos in D minor"

Grieg's Piano Concerto

Moszkowski's Piano Concerto in E (Op.59 I think)

Mozart's Piano Concerto No.23

Rachmaninov's 2nd (in C minor?)

And that's about it :P I obviously love the piano :D No, but really, I haven't listened to many concerti for other instruments, although I should.

Mark: About the vivaldi concerti, composer Luigi Dallapiccola said "Vivaldi didn't write 459 concerti; he wrote one concerto 459 times" . He obviously disliked the similarity among Vivaldi's concerti :laugh:

And nikolas, yes, I'd like to listen to Schnittke's concerto. I've read about him and his music sounds very interesting. I'd like to hear, maybe just the first movement, or your favourite movement (so then I could buy the CD for myself). I'll PM you anyway, cause I doubt you'll read this :P

yes, I read it juji ;)

I can't do what you're asking!

It's illegal and against the law!

Sigged ;)

nikolas: it's not against the law =| All I am asking is if you could give me a sample from his concerto, so I can see for myself and buy it afterwards (if I like it). What would the difference be if I was living on the next block, and you just invited me over to your house and put me the concerto and I listened to it? Is that illegal too? It's just that the means through which this "tasting" of music from people who own it is different, nothing else ;) Bah, nevermind, I'll buy it next time I order from Amazon. If you say it's good, it must be :P

I know mate, I know... :)