Originally posted by Synapse:
What are your opinions or Prokofiev's 2nd concerto?
I have Rach 3 and Prokofiev 2 right now and I'm trying to pick the less time consuming (to learn) of the two.
I've heard some people say that Prokofiev 2 (especially the cadenza) is more complicated and challenging technically than Rach 3, but after having listened to Prokofiev 2 numerous times and viewing the score, I think Rach 3 is still significantly more challenging to learn
(speaking only of the first movement of both pieces)
Why are you comparing the 1st movements only? If you look at both of them, I think Prok 2 is a bit more demanding, but not by much. It's SO nasty, but then so is Rach 3. And comparing the two cadenzas in the 1st movements, I'm not sure which is harder.. probaly Rach (the original, massive version though).
Hardest pieces, I'd say Rach 2nd sonata, original version, Rach 3, Prok 2, Brahms 2, Chopin 3rd sonata, and any Bach, Mozart or Beethoven.