Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Rach 2 vs Rach 3

Hmm, seems like the second is way more popular...

Right from the beginning, Rach 3 has always been much more deeply emotional, probably because of the nostalgia. I've frequently felt intense feelings of nostalgia myself (I moved countries), and the third concerto has really helped me manage. The second concerto, despite the enormously popular themes, gives me no such feeling, except maybe like one spot in the first movement (I like this concerto too, but I don't feel as emotionally connected).

Numbers 1 and 4 are not too shabby either. ;-)

I much prefer the majestic ending to the 3rd concerto over the 2nd, and while the 3rd has always been my goal, I do rather enjoy the first movement of the 2nd. It's too close to call for me...they're two of my favorite pieces in all of the piano repertoire.

I will say one thing:

Rach 2 the second mvt. is 1,000,000 times better than any other Rach second mvt. (Rach 3 included!)

I actually prefer the 3rd. It seems more complex less generic than the 2nd to me.

Finally! Another Rach 3 supporter!

I prefer the whole of Rach 3 to Rach 2, including the second movement. In my opinion the maestoso section (D flat major section in the middle) is one of the greatest moments of all music.

I'm still evaluating them.

I am relatively new to these pieces so I have to give them some time and many many listening sessions.

I love the 3rd but I have listened to it more times than the 2nd just because of all of the posts related to it here.

Listening to the 2nd as I type...

That's because he wrote it first. (The first movement wasn't added until after the debut of the concerto.)

The Rachmaninoff 2nd is better in my opinion because the melodies and musical depth is absolutely incredible. I can remember the first time I heard this concerto and when listening to this concerto with fresh ears how absolutely beautiful it was. Now after I have heard it too many times to count (and having also learned it) the impact it has on me has lessened. But when I go back to the first time I heard this concerto I truly realize why the concerto is so well known.

The third concerto is really a wonderful concerto as well. In my opnion the third concerto's melodies aren't quite on par with the second's (alhtough they are still quite good).

The second concerto is almost perfect in the sense that it has almsot everything one could want from a piece; beautiful melodies, places of flashy fingerwork, musical depth, sensitivity and great power.

But this is just one opnion

Well I enjoy the third much more. Rachmaninoff himself also felt that way he said " Even with my own concertos I much prefer the third because my second is uncomfortable to play."

just the same opinion, you only have to replace 2 with 3
vote for rach d-minor

The second may be more "uncomfortable to play," but, since I'm playing neither - at least, not in this lifetime - the second is my preferred of the two, simply on a purely musical basis.

Regards,

Overall I much prefer the second. Ive never really got that much into the second and third movements of the Rach 3 (except the finale which is breathtaking). I prefer most of the 1st movement of the third than the first movement of the second, its much more interesting. Nevertheless, the second and third movements of the Rach 2 are my favourite pieces of music of all time. The opening is pretty awesome too.
lol, Its hard to talk about this, lots of firsts seconds and thirds everywhere.

I love the first notes of the string in Rach2-1. Even though I'm an avid 3-1 fan (especially of the chordal cadenza), I have to say the main theme of 2-1 just dominates Rach 3, especially when it resurfaces halfway through with tumultuous chords of death. =)

When José Carreras was treated for cancer the piece he found comfort in was the 2nd piano concerto.

You can read it in his biography.

After 26 years of playing piano....a little bit of everything from the often calm and serene yet sometimes complex nocturnes of Chopin to the stone cold groove melodies of jazz with the Rippingtons, I've probably seen it, heard it, and quite often played it. Like a few in this post, I have to say I like the Rach 2 and 3 equally...they both present something different and absolutely incredible in the concerto repertoire.

The second is absolutely beautiful with its hypnotic melodies and lush orchestrations and who can forget that opening that's always described as the bells from Moscow. And the third satisfies even the fanciest of virtuosos and also has some beautiful melodies.

Rach 2-2 hands down some of the most beautiful music ever written. Rach 3-3...sit back, hang on, right until the very end. I've yet to play it but maybe someday. I already do the 2nd as part of a C minor program...Mozart 24, Beethoven 3, and Rachmaninov 2.

Needless to say, whatever your tastes....you will find it nestled somewhere in these 2...the pinnacle of classical piano. Enjoy!

They are both amazing pieces. I prefer the rach 3 and find it musically deeper then the rach 2. The rach to is more convential to me. Eitherway they are not as good as Beethoven's 4 or 5th piano concertos.

Well, I was a fan of the 3rd until I listened to the 2nd concerto. See, the 3rd one has definitely its moments but besides those moments, I find it hard to concentrate on the music, there are simply too many notes and too little music.

But as soon as the chords start the 2nd concerto, I am listening without breathing. Musically it's much more mature as well, that's my opinion of course. The second concerto is one of the best concertos ever written. My favorite movement is the first but the 2nd movement is breathtaking as well...

I wish "Rach" fans would make the effort - or learn how - to spell Rachmaninov - or Rachmaninoff, if you prefer.

Regards,

actually, only pianists or people who learn to play piano know exactly what 'Rach' stands for. when i first started, i learned 'Rach' not from any pianists but from a book talking about classical music, and refering 'Rach 3' as a known term for Rachmaninov's 3rd concerto. therefore, it's valid to just say 'Rach' instead of that long name, because in such a music community, everyone knows what 'Rach' means.