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Well, I won 2nd place in the local concerto competition. I got beat by a college kid from out of country for 1st place, but I still get to play with an orchestra in May so I'm really happy, easpecially considering that I played Mozart's 23rd concerto against such concertoes as the Mendelssohn 1st, Saint-Saens 2nd and Beethoven 1st.

Now it's time to pick a concerto to begin on for next year. They only require one movement (preferably the first) of any concerto that's not too demanding of the orchestra, so no Ravel.
I was thinking of doing the Schumann concerto. Maybe one of the Chopin ones, but those are really really difficult. Definately not Grieg. To give an idea of my technical facility, I just finished a Haydn sonata and some of Albeniz's Suite Espanola and played Ginastera Danzas Argentinas last year. I'm working on some of Ravel's Miroirs right now (specifically Une Barque sur l'Ocean).

Try Saint-Saens 5 - it's underplayed and it's a masterpiece.

iamcanadian, I was under the impression that it was played frequently. I guess it's not often as I thought. Yes, I love it and would love to play it, but is it too hard? I'll check it again, but last time I remember looking at the score, it was a beast to play.

Yeah, it's hard, but the difficulty lies mostly in the third movement. One and two are really not that bad. The Schumann first movement is definitely harder.

First, congratulations and good luck in May.

If you don't mind another classical concerto, how about the Beethoven 3rd.

Here's an idea that's unlikely to be replicated by any other contestant: Franck's Symphonic Variations. It's a work complete in one movement, with some gorgeous music and significant technical challenges. Another piece in the same vein (and completely different style) is Prokofiev's No. 1.

Either way, enjoy yourself with the orchestra in May.

Congratulations. Performing with the orchestra in May should be a very neat experience, especially if you haven't done it before!

"Franck's Symphonic Variations"

That's a good suggestion, although it is pretty long for a single movement work! Liszt's Hungarian Fantasie is in a similar vein, although I have never seen the score, but it doesnt sound excessively difficult.

Grats! Aside from the performance, do you get any prize money?

You might want to wait on the Schumann, judges tend to be very picky about that piece, no matter how well you play it. Take a look at Rhapsody in Blue (flashy but not too difficult, and it was the first piece I did with orchestra at your age), Beethoven 2 (assuming you don't mind staying in the classical era), or Liszt E-flat. It might be a stretch, but read through it and see how it feels in your hands.

Maybe try somethging less mainstream. the Padereweski or Rubinstein concerti are good options.

You could try and stun them with tone and control on the slow movement of the Ravel concerto.

If I could play with an orchestra, I would consider (even if I shouldn't ) Carter's, Ligeti's, and Prokofiev's 1st. That is just because it is what I like. I know you love Ravel. So that is my position. Play something that you first of all are capable of (by the way, I am not capable of Ligeti, Carter, Prokofiev 1 ) and secondly something you like a lot. You don't get to play with an orchestra every day!

Hey congratulations, and good luck on the big day.

I'm surprised that no one has suggested the Mendelssohn concerti yet. They're not hard for the orchestra, and they're good preparation for the bigger Romantic concerti. I've always been fond of the d minor, which is rarely played.

Ya, I get a little for 2nd, just $150, but it's enough to pay the accompanist so I'm happy there.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone and I'll look around at some of the concertos.

Lemon Pledge:
I actually saw someone lose hard with the Mendelssohn Gminor. He didn't mess up, but that piece is just so gaudy that it's almost impossible to play it without looking like you're just showing off. Definately NOT one of my favorite pieces but I'll check out his 2nd concerto. I just don't really like Mendelssohn that much anyway.

L'echange:
Those are all good suggestions and I would love to learn the Ravel for it, but I got the impression that they didn't want people picking huge concertos (first movement of Brahms 1 hehe) or ones with virtuosic orchestral parts (Ravel or Ligeti), mainly because there are three divisions and the 1st and 2nd place winners out of the division play a movement from the concerto in May. Imagine that with two Brahms movements!

You know what made my day though, no Grieg in sight.

Also, the 2nd place winner for the Junior division was 6 years old in Kindergarten. She had been playing for 9 months and won 2nd among about 20 competitors with a well played Haydn Concerto. Amazing.

What about the Albeniz concerto?

How about Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninov? It's an audience favorite, great piece, and not as hard as his 2nd concerto.

I think the Rach rhapsody is quite a step up from this other stuff.

I don't mean to be monotonous, but mvmt 1 of the Shostakovich 2nd would be great if you like it. It's not tough for the piano, and the orchestra part isn't too complicated either. Really charming piece, lots of fun- and not as heavy as a lot of Shostakovich. If you've never heard it, Bronfman's recording would be a worthy investment.

Maybe, but it's got a very hard orchestra part.

Sorry