What do you think is the hardest piano concerto ranging from classicl period to 20th century

Well what's hard for some people may be easy for others. It's all very subjective. I'd say Bartok 2, but what do I know?

I'd second Bartok 2, at least in the standard literature.

I'd say the Busoni Piano Concerto is up there - difficult piano writing, as well as an almost unfeasable orchestration...

I love the Busoni concerto. The ending of the 5th movement is one of the most exciting things imgainable.

Bartok 2.

For standard concerti, my sleeper is Brahms 2.

For me, as of now, it's Bartok's 2nd. When I have finished learning the 3rd movement of Rachmaninoff's 3rd, I'll update my decision.

The Ligeti concerto sounds like it's up there with Bartok 2.

Rachmoninoff 3 is a tough one....

I agree with bluade, both Brahms' concerti are ridiculous. Sososososo long!

Brahms 2nd for me, with Rach 2nd very close behind. From a cursory reading, Barotk 2nd is ridiculously difficult, as are the Reger and Henselt concertos.

koji

In terms of difficulty, Bartok 2nd is ridiculous compared to Rach 3.

not the Prokofiev 2? I confess, I'm unfamiliar with the Bartok 2nd, but I always thought the Prokofiev 2nd sounded a lot harder than the Rach 3rd (especially that giant cadenza in the first mvt).

I think people here are underestimating the technical and emotional capacity required to successfully perform Rachmaninoff's 3rd. I have heard maybe two recordings of this work which I have actually thought to have successfully captured the character of this piece in its full emotional scope.

ive heard that ravel's concerto for the left hand is rediculous, though ive never seen the score.

I've only played the 1st and 4th movements (the 2nd movement looks like a beast, especially the jumps!), but I think that with practice, it falls nicely into place.

we better ask pianists like Richter, horowitz.. they played almost all of them, they can say which one is harder.

too bad they don't have internet. or.. they are kinda.. not here? :rolleyes:

i'm not particularly fond of either bartok's or prokofiev's concertos. their themes and melodies are capricious, inconsistent, and never really build enough momentum to maintain my focus.

they're just.. too contemporary. and their austere difficulty doesn't add much texture either.

this is offtopic, i'll keep to myself now.

gordonf238: Maybe you should listen to the Ligeti concerto then.

Even Lang Lang says Bartok 2, but of course the Rach 3 is SOOO difficult to play good.

Btw, phonehome, which 2 recordings are you refering to?

Who cares? Any idiot can write something hard for the piano. The trick is to write something beautiful.

Don
Kansas City

The only one I can think of that really hits me in the heart and doesn't let go is Jon Nakamatsu. There are many things about the Horowitz, Ashkenazy, Guittierez, and Watts recordings that I like, but none of them really sink in to that spot that makes me want to cry every time, which I suppose is completely subjective. It's hard to explain.

i'd say rach 3 or busoni. haven't heard bartok 2 yet. i'll go take a listen to it. but rach 3 is bad enough as it is. busoni is interesting too. but rach 3 is much easier to digest for me, compared to busoni.

Busoni Concerto and Alkan concerto for piano solo.