Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Op. 18 No. 2 Mov. 3

This is a recording of my last year performance of "Rach 2" accompanied by my high school orchestra. Every year my old school organised (and still does, I believe) a "concerto evening", giving boys opportunities to play a movement from a concerto. Two friends of mine played the first and second. This was arguably my last "serious" piano performance - four years on and I'm now reduced to playing non-classical stuff*

Piano Concerto Op. 18 No. 2 Mov. 3 - Allegro scherzando

*Edit: i.e. my own music. Not meant to insult non-classically trained pianists

This is quite good. I must say I'm impressed. You were in high school when this was recorded? The tempo is slower than I would anticipate, but it works because the movement flows well, and you're able to technically handle the piece.

Great job!

Daniel

I like it! It's not boring, it's held together (kudos for dealing with that orchestra! I know what it feels like to play Rach 2 with an orchestra that gives you multiple heart attacks throughout the concert) and it has a drive. You can be more free in the two 'slow' sections and take more time but that's personal. Why don't you play classical anymore?

Thanks guys! I wanted to take the fast section slightly faster and the slow section slightly slower, but my technique wasn't good enough for the former. It was at a time when I "didn't know fear" and I'm glad I attempted it! I know I'd never be able to play like that again. Since I left school I've stopped taking piano lessons - I find it really hard to fit everything in. Also, I've come to the conclusion that I'm more comfortable as a composer than a pianist. Having said that though, I've matured a bit over the years with respect to composing and now I wish I had continued taking piano lessons all along as my piano playing is now the "bottle neck" in my compositional progress. (I didn't quite manage a recent composition so well in a concert)

The orchestra was composed almost completely of boys, most of them were 15-16, with a few of older boys and teachers jamming in. (My friend was on percussion!) They literally got together in the morning of the day of the concert, I had two staggered runs with them in the afternoon and we did the concert with them in the evening. Considering who the orchestra were made of and how much time they had I was really proud of them.

i sure enjoyed that recording. what a treat.. i love that it is not a professional orchestra.

Wow! Nothing like that ever happened at my high school. Incredible playing. You must have worked very long and hard to get that good by your senior year. And the school must of had a heck of a music department. 15 and 16 year old kids and only got all together that morning? I really enjoyed listening. Thanks.