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Does anybody else like Tchaikowsky's Third Piano Concerto?

I especially like the first movement, and wonder why people seem to avoid this concerto.

Anyone perform it, or know of any recent performances?

As far as I know, there are only 2?

That's why they avoid the 3.

Here is a link to a recording of the three Tchaikovsky Piano Concertos, although the recording is currently not available at Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000041L0/104-5832224-6974323?v=glance&n=5174

Heh nice, at this piano camp this summer there was a huge discussion about there being a second concerto or not, and now there are 3.

Well I like this concerto, especially that dance like rhythmic section in the first movement! My favourite recordings would be by Pletnev (Virgin)and Igor Zhukov (BMG/Melodiya)

The third is definitely good, but it's my least favorite of his works for piano and orchestra. His first piano concerto is of course incredible. The second is much less frequently played, but still incredible. Even less heard than those two is the Concert Fantasy, which is really quite good, if formally somewhat strange. Those three I really like, but I could never get into the third piano concerto (which if I recall was never even finished, but had to be reconstructed, so who knows how close it was to his intent)

Ha ha, I made a weird mistake!

I was thinking of his SECOND Concerto, but typed THIRD.



I guess that goes to show how unfamiliar it is!

Soooo....

Let me rephrase.

Does anybody else like Tchaikowsky's <font color="#FF0000">Second</font> Piano Concerto?

I especially like the first movement, and wonder why people seem to avoid this concerto.

Anyone perform it, or know of any recent performances?

Yeah, the second concerto is great, in some ways better than the first - though heard much less frequently. I was just listening to the third movement of it yesterday - that'll get your blood pumping...

I don't understand what people like about the first concerto. IMO it's extremely weak. Only the opening theme is catchy and actually sounds good, and he even added that later after he finished the concerto.


But of course it's fun to watch someone play this, but only when it's ridiculously loud or fast.

*laughs* I was about to say, "He wrote a third?" when I continued reading. I'll have to learn more about it! I certainly haven't played it (or heard of it prior to today).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...3329?s=classical&v=glance&n=5174

They have some sound clips here if you're interested. The third concerto consists of Op 75 and 79 (don't know why it's split that way) and was completed by Tanayev.

I love it!

It doesn't get played too much because the piano writing is out-of-this-world hard, it's too long, and has a very difficult orchestra part. The second movement is basically a concerto for violin and cello, heh.

The best performance available is a video of Pletnev playing it with Vladimir Fedoseyev and the Moscow Radio Symphony, although I believe it is out of print.

Concertos No.2 and No.3 are also available in excellent recordings by Peter Donohoe on EMI. They are, indeed, lovely works - the 2nd possibly better than the 3rd.

Thanks, everyone!

I love the theme of the 1st movement (Concerto II).

Doubt I will assemble an orchestra for myself, so will have to find someone willing to learn the orchestra part!

one of these days... ha ha!