GMG’s Favourite Piano Concertos

[karlhenning]

My man Béla!

[Lethevich]

Alas, had Lethe not bothered beating up on poor Scriabin

I'm afraid he owed me his lunch money - I have to keep up appearances or my whole criminal empire would collapse

[Amfortas]

Not to worry, I will help poor Béla 

Bartok2 +2
Prok1 +1
Chopin -1


21   Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2 Sz. 95
14  Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat major, op.10
13   Mozart: Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491
11   Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73
12   Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22
11   Alkan: Concerto pour piano seul, op.39/8-10
10   Poulenc: Aubade, Concerto chorégraphique for piano and 18 instruments
09   Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor op.11
09   de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain (Noches en los Jardines de España)
08   Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, op.20
05   Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, op.33
05   Busoni: Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 39
05   Mozart: Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K.466
04   Scriabin: Prométhée: Le Poème du Feu, op.60
04   Tcherepnin: Piano Concerto No. 2  op. 22
03   Medtner: Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, op.33
02   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D Major, BWV 1054
02   Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 11 for piano and orchestra
00   Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, op.55
00   Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major
00   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1052
-1   Hummel: Concerto in C Major, Op. 34
-1   Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
-2  Mozart: Concerto No. 21 in C, K.467

[Lethevich]

Wait. Damnit. I missed Liszt's being included

[Wanderer]

Amfortas - since the Bartok will be elevated to The List - you can nominate a new work if you so choose ...

Clarifying: only if he has one of his three positive votes to spare (which Amfortas has); otherwise, the privilege goes to the next voter.

[Cato]

After Amfortas

Bartok +3
Busoni +2
Tcherepnin +1


24   Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2 Sz. 95
14  Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat major, op.10
13   Mozart: Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491
11   Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73
12   Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22
11   Alkan: Concerto pour piano seul, op.39/8-10
10   Poulenc: Aubade, Concerto chorégraphique for piano and 18 instruments
09   Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor op.11
09   de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain (Noches en los Jardines de España)
08   Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, op.20
07   Busoni: Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 39
05   Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, op.33
05   Tcherepnin: Piano Concerto No. 2  op. 22
05   Mozart: Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K.466
04   Scriabin: Prométhée: Le Poème du Feu, op.60
03   Medtner: Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, op.33
02   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D Major, BWV 1054
02   Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 11 for piano and orchestra
00   Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, op.55
00   Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major
00   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1052
-1   Hummel: Concerto in C Major, Op. 34
-1   Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
-2  Mozart: Concerto No. 21 in C, K.467
[/quote]

[Cato]

Wait - Bartok now has a 10 vote lead, but should have advanced when he hit 7 - -

Right!  My mistake: I re-checked the rules!

So Bartok goes to the list:

14  Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat major, op.10
13   Mozart: Concerto No. 24 in C minor, K.491
11   Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat, Op. 73
12   Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22
11   Alkan: Concerto pour piano seul, op.39/8-10
10   Poulenc: Aubade, Concerto chorégraphique for piano and 18 instruments
09   Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor op.11
09   de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain (Noches en los Jardines de España)
08   Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, op.20
07   Busoni: Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 39
05   Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, op.33
05   Tcherepnin: Piano Concerto No. 2  op. 22
05   Mozart: Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K.466
04   Scriabin: Prométhée: Le Poème du Feu, op.60
03   Medtner: Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, op.33
02   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D Major, BWV 1054
02   Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 11 for piano and orchestra
00   Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, op.55
00   Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major
00   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1052
-1   Hummel: Concerto in C Major, Op. 34
-1   Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
-2  Mozart: Concerto No. 21 in C, K.467

[Wanderer]

Revised board:

14  Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat major, op.10
13   Mozart: Piano Concerto No.24 in C minor, K.491
12   Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22
11   Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat, Op.73
11   Alkan: Concerto pour piano seul, op.39/8-10
10   Poulenc: Aubade, Concerto chorégraphique for piano and 18 instruments
09   Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, op.11
09   de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain (Noches en los Jardines de España)
08   Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, op.20
07   Busoni: Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 39
05   Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, op.33
05   Tcherepnin: Piano Concerto No.2,  op.22
05   Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K.466
04   Scriabin: Prométhée: Le Poème du Feu, op.60
03   Medtner: Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, op.33
02   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D Major, BWV 1054
02   Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 11 for piano and orchestra
00   Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, op.55
00   Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major, S.124
00   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1052
-1   Hummel: Piano Concerto in C Major, Op. 34
-1   Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
-2  Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K.467

[Amfortas]

Clarifying: only if he has one of his three positive votes to spare (which Amfortas has); otherwise, the privilege goes to the next voter.

Great, so how do I do this? Should I wait until I vote next, or can I nominate a work now?

If so, I will add-- Ligeti: Piano Concerto 

[Cato]

Concerning the Busoni Piano Concerto:

Quoted for truth.

Leon, the scherzo movement (All'Italiana: Tarantella) might prove the most instantly enjoyable if you take the (considerable) time to give the work a listen (videos 7 and 8 from that youtube series Luke posted).

And although the work takes over an hour to perform, it is quite an experience: Leon, if you have enjoyed Doctor Faust     then the Piano Concerto   0:)  is worth your time!   

[DavidW]

After Cato (really Wanderer's cleanup):

+3 Bach 1052
+2 Prokofiev 1
+1 Liszt 1

16  Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat major, op.10
13   Mozart: Piano Concerto No.24 in C minor, K.491
12   Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22
11   Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat, Op.73
11   Alkan: Concerto pour piano seul, op.39/8-10
10   Poulenc: Aubade, Concerto chorégraphique for piano and 18 instruments
09   Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, op.11
09   de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain (Noches en los Jardines de España)
08   Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, op.20
07   Busoni: Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 39
05   Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, op.33
05   Tcherepnin: Piano Concerto No.2,  op.22
05   Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K.466
04   Scriabin: Prométhée: Le Poème du Feu, op.60
03   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1052
03   Medtner: Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, op.33
02   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D Major, BWV 1054
02   Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 11 for piano and orchestra
01   Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major, S.124
00   Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, op.55
-1   Hummel: Piano Concerto in C Major, Op. 34
-1   Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
-2  Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K.467

[karlhenning]

Well, you know, if you don't like it, you don't like it.

After all, the Gurnatron doesn't dig the Debussy Sonata for fl/va/hp . . . .

[DavidW]

Well, you know, if you don't like it, you don't like it.

After all, the Gurnatron doesn't dig the Debussy Sonata for fl/va/hp . . . .

Well that was no surprise he hates the harp!  I think even for the sublime Mozart concerto, it's a he doesn't mind listening to it now and then, i.e. he tolerates it!

[Wanderer]

Great, so how do I do this? Should I wait until I vote next, or can I nominate a work now?

If so, I will add-- Ligeti: Piano Concerto 

Sorry, too much time has passed. It's just as well, since Ligeti's concerto is already on the list. 

However, after listening to it I remain immune to its charms.   

Actually, I would've been surprised if you'd  managed to absorb and comprehend this mammoth after only one hearing. My highlights when I first listened to it were the impressive Brahmsian orchestral introduction and its masterful anticipation of the first piano entry, the raucous Tarantella and the visionary choral finale. I found my bearings from there.

[Cato]

Not something I am proud of, mind you - just my own inclinations.

Therapy is available!   

[Amfortas]

Not something I am proud of, mind you - just my own inclinations.

Nothing to be ashamed of either, we can't all like the same things.
A great benefit of this type of competition is that some of us may listen to works we have avoided, or taken for granted, and get like them.

[Luke]

Yes; I really wanted to enjoy it, but that kind of work just is not my cup of tea.  Too much bombast.  I go more for the pristine sound of Poulenc, Ravel and Stravinsky or the brooding and dark Schoenberg & Bartok.  I am not much for the late Romantic "big" piano concerto, even The Rach 2/3, while I admit are beautiful, I don't listen to them that often.  Grieg, Tchai, etc. I never listen to.  And now, I can add the Busoni to that pile.

Not something I am proud of, mind you - just my own inclinations.

Personally, I don't hear the Busoni (any Busoni, in fact) in those terms. He's not your run-of-the-mill Romantic, he's a classicist at heart, but one of a mystical, revolutionary bent with a unique aesthetic. The Busoni concerto is big and grand and sprawling, but within that big framework everything is, indeed, as you term it, 'pristine' - I speak as one who, like you, hardly listens to the Rachmaninov or Grieg or Tchaikovsky concerti either, recognising their merits but not being called by themvery often. The Busoni calls me all the time.

[karlhenning]

Yes, this is what strikes me firstly about Busoni . . . the scale is grand, so that seems to suggest High Romantic, but the Stuff is endued with a Classical and a Baroque sensibility.  Well, and he's Italian : )

[Cato]

Yes, as Luke and Karl Henning have written, Busoni is idiosyncratically the Schoenbergian conservative radical.

The first Busoni work I ever heard was the DGG Fischer-Dieskau Doctor Faust from1969 or so.  (Later I lucked into seeing it at Wolf Trap during a summer in the 1970's.) 

But then I came across John Ogden's performance of the Piano Concerto and wondered why on earth Busoni was not better known!  Yes, "mystical" indeed!  Look at the text from Aladdin in the last movement!

[not edward]

Personally, I don't hear the Busoni (any Busoni, in fact) in those terms. He's not your run-of-the-mill Romantic, he's a classicist at heart, but one of a mystical, revolutionary bent with a unique aesthetic. The Busoni concerto is big and grand and sprawling, but within that big framework everything is, indeed, as you term it, 'pristine' - I speak as one who, like you, hardly listens to the Rachmaninov or Grieg or Tchaikovsky concerti either, recognising their merits but not being called by themvery often. The Busoni calls me all the time.

It also has to be said that the Busoni concerto isn't particularly representative of his output, particularly of his later works. It doesn't have a lot in common with the brooding modernism of the second Sonatina or the Nocturne symphonique, nor the near-mystical aspects of Doktor Faust and related pieces, or the extreme introversion of the Berceuse elegiaque, for examples.

But thread duty, anyway, d'apres DavidW

Scriabin: PC +3
Alkan: PC +2
Busoni: PC +1

16   Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.1 in D flat major, op.10
13   Alkan: Concerto pour piano seul, op.39/8-10
13   Mozart: Piano Concerto No.24 in C minor, K.491
12   Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No.2 in G minor, op.22
11   Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat, Op.73
11   Scriabin: Piano Concerto in F sharp minor, op.20
10   Poulenc: Aubade, Concerto chorégraphique for piano and 18 instruments
09   Chopin: Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor, op.11
09   de Falla: Nights in the Gardens of Spain (Noches en los Jardines de España)
08   Busoni: Piano Concerto in C major, Op. 39
05   Dvořák: Piano Concerto in G minor, op.33
05   Tcherepnin: Piano Concerto No.2,  op.22
05   Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K.466
04   Scriabin: Prométhée: Le Poème du Feu, op.60
03   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D minor, BWV 1052
03   Medtner: Piano Concerto No.1 in C minor, op.33
02   Bach: Concerto for Harpsichord and Orchestra in D Major, BWV 1054
02   Villa-Lobos: Choros No. 11 for piano and orchestra
01   Liszt: Piano Concerto No.1 in E flat major, S.124
00   Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, op.55
-1   Hummel: Piano Concerto in C Major, Op. 34
-1   Stravinsky: Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra
-2  Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21 in C, K.467