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If you were asked to perform either Beethoven's 3rd or 4th concerto, which one would you prefer and why?

I would never be asked haha(although I actually studied the 3rd as a teenager...not that I was really qualified to do so) but I think they are both total masterpieces(among the 10 greatest piano concerti) so why not choose the one you like best?

Well, I learned and performed No. 3 in music school, long ago. So, that one. The slow mvt.--a semitone "too high" in E major--is sublime, in context.

Although I love No. 4, I'm less fond of that one's slow mvt. Perhaps I'm being a philistine?

The 4th because I have never really liked the 3rd... 4th is so much more difficult in every way though!

Definitely #4 although I'd be thrilled to do either.

I would take the orchestra into account in choosing -- i.e. how good it is. I think #4 is far more complex and subtle and therefore tougher for the orchestra and for the 'ensemble' between you and them.

The one time I did get the chance to play with an orchestra I was essentially free to choose whatever concerto I wanted. The Beethoven 4th was what I would have most wanted, everything being equal, but because of what I said up there, I opted for the 5th, which obviously is no walk in the park but I consider it not nearly as tough in that respect as the 4th. And it wasn't just out of concern for the orchestra, need I say; I thought the more complex 4th would be harder for me to pull off, especially without having had any prior experience playing with an orchestra, even though in terms of pure pianistic difficulty the pieces are about on the same level.

My teacher always said #4 was his favorite, which he had played with orchestras. #3 has a lot of potential ensemble problems with those upward sweeps in the last mvt. (i. e. a non-pianist conductor trying to get the orchestra to come in with the "nailed" high notes).

I'd choose 4 over 3, although they're both great.

I am still in 2 minds about this, the slow movement of no.3 is gorgeous, the sublime finesse of no.4 is unique, the technique doesn't play a role, I have played nos.1 and 5, they are not at stake here, I have till end of august to decide, it's for next year, they are both in the fingers, inclination towards 3. Keep on commenting though!

#4 without hesitation, just because it has one of those great power moments in the first movement where the piano establishes its authority over the orchestra. Spine-tingling!

Karvala, what moment in particular?

Are you going to play Alkan's cadenza? Hahaha!

indeed, hahaha, stupendous it is, but good old Ludwig himself wrote the best (imo).