Favorite Bartok Piano Concerto!

[EigenUser]

While I like the first two pretty much equally, I'm voting for the second because I love the ending. Plus, I've seen it performed live twice. Once with Bronfman and the Philadelphia Orchestra in April 2012 and again with Barto and the NSO in January 2013.

The third is no doubt great, but it doesn't have as many of the Bartokian qualities that I look for when I am in the mood for his music. Just be glad that I didn't list each movement separately .

[Ken B]

While I like the first two pretty much equally, I'm voting for the second because I love the ending. Plus, I've seen it performed live twice. Once with Bronfman and the Philadelphia Orchestra in April 2012 and again with Barto and the NSO in January 2013.

The third is no doubt great, but it doesn't have as many of the Bartokian qualities that I look for when I am in the mood for his music. Just be glad that I didn't list each movement separately .

2

[Brian]

Well, this one is threasy.

[not edward]

Well, this one is threasy.

I two not agree with you.

[Wanderer]

What a question! All of them.

[king ubu]

(what's the idea of poll no one can vote in?)

[EigenUser]

Well, this one is threasy.

I, for one, disagree.

(what's the idea of poll no one can vote in?)

Oops! Good point, thanks! Somehow I must have locked it by accident. It should be fixed now.

[king ubu]

Oops! Good point, thanks! Somehow I must have locked it by accident. It should be fixed now.

Glad to be of help ... though I can't help in the poll, haven't spent that much time with these yet. I think I've only got one pianist per concerto - seems like I mentioned that in another thread recently ...

[amw]

1 ≥ 2 >>> 3

[Ken B]

I, for one, disagree.

Wait. You voted for 2. Mine was the second vote and it was the second for 2.

[Brahmsian]

All 3 are great, but if forced to just one, it would be # 3. 

[Ken B]

All 3 are great,...

Yes. I hesitate to say anything that might suggest another poll, but if I think of 20th C PCs all three would make my top 10 list I think.

[EigenUser]

Wait. You voted for 2. Mine was the second vote and it was the second for 2.

I know, I like 1 and 2 both pretty much equally (depending on which one I'm listening to at the time). I just picked 2 since it was the first one I heard and because I've seen it live, twice. So, I feel partial to that one.

Don't get me wrong; I love 3 as well -- the first movement has such a beautiful, pristine melody, the second movement is absolutely heart-wrenching (especially the last minute or so, to me it's like Bartok was musically depicting "to be or not to be", especially considering how sick he was at the time), and the third movement is just plain fun with such an optimistic ending. Many will disagree with me, but I think it is a bit "watered-down" Bartok. It was written for his wife so the piano part was intentionally made significantly easier than the other two.

Yes. I hesitate to say anything that might suggest another poll, but if I think of 20th C PCs all three would make my top 10 list I think.

A big +1!

[Brian]

Yes. I hesitate to say anything that might suggest another poll, but if I think of 20th C PCs all three would make my top 10 list I think.

I just tried making a poll of this, but got to 25 poll options by the letter G, and screw that.

[Ken B]

I know, I like 1 and 2 both pretty much equally (depending on which one I'm listening to at the time). I just picked 2 since it was the first one I heard and because I've seen it live, twice. So, I feel partial to that one.

Don't get me wrong; I love 3 as well -- the first movement has such a beautiful, pristine melody, the second movement is absolutely heart-wrenching (especially the last minute or so, to me it's like Bartok was musically depicting "to be or not to be", especially considering how sick he was at the time), and the third movement is just plain fun with such an optimistic ending. Many will disagree with me, but I think it is a bit "watered-down" Bartok. It was written for his wife so the piano part was intentionally made significantly easier than the other two.
A big +1!

Off the top of my head, Prok  3, Shosty both, Bela 1 and 2, Rawsthorne both, Igor, Ravel both.  So maybe they don't all make the top 10 

I just tried making a poll of this, but got to 25 poll options by the letter G, and screw that.

I am sure my vote would change if I saw your list. I really like Howard Ferguson's for instance.

[Brian]

Off the top of my own head...

Bartok 3
Englund 1
Gershwin
Poulenc, for two pianos
Prok 1
Prok 3
Ravel (both)
Shosty 2
Szymanowski "Symphony No. 4"

If I remembered which of the Kabalevsky, Martinu, and Milhaud concertos were my favorites, they'd be in a dogfight with Bartok 3 and Englund 1 for the final spot on the list.

[Sergeant Rock]

If you'd asked me this question 40 years ago, it would have been No.1. But I'm old and mellow now (with delicate ears  ) so it's the Third for me.

Sarge

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

I just tried making a poll of this, but got to 25 poll options by the letter G, and screw that.

A Scarlatti sonata poll would be a fun project for someone. (not me, though)

I voted for #1. Bartok at his barbaric and percussive best.

[Ken B]

Nate! Two is in last place! Quick, add the the label "Jeux" to 1 and 3 to suppress the vote!

[EigenUser]

Off the top of my own head...
Gershwin
Ravel (both)

YES! Especially to the Gershwin! A bona fide American masterpiece! You are forgiven for not including Bartok 1 or 2 .

If you'd asked me this question 40 years ago, it would have been No.1. But I'm old and mellow now (with delicate ears  ) so it's the Third for me.

Sarge

Haha, that's a good answer!

[...] Ravel both. [...]

I saw that.

No mention of the Ligeti yet?