Prokofiev: Piano Concerto n. 2 - Yefim Bronfman

[cheradinine8]

This is often known as the twice written concerto... First performed in 1916, the score was lost in a fire, so Prokofiev had to re-write it from memory for its second premiere under Sergei Koussevitsky in 1924...The problem was that many in the audience who had seen the 1916 premiere swore that this was an entirely different concerto...It would be great if we could recover the 1916 score, but unfortunately it seems that it is irretrievably lost...

[radudeATL]

I don't understand. That is all.

[vortex481]

I just heard Gutierrez play. He is really incredible. Thanks

[georgypapa28]

@tcombs85, mostly it has to do with personal preference but the facts are that 1) it is the most difficult concerto technically, just compare how many performers played this and Rach's 3rd and you have the answer, especially the cadenza is ridiculous and you are there "naked" in front of the audience without an orchestra to cover any mistakes

[georgypapa28]

2) ranking behind? Why?

Because you might not be used to his sound? It was composed having in mind a friend who suicided. Probably having this in mind you might appreciate it and understand the concerto which (in my opinion) is the masterpiece of the 20th century's concertos

[georgypapa28]

The orchestra in Prokofiev concerto's is also very important and does not just acompany the performer, and finally (trust me) the more you listen to it the more you will enjoy it and appreciate.

[mmaazz2]

@georgypapa28 100% agree......this concerto is an absolute masterpiece....every time i hear it i discover something new......i think Rach piano concertos are all nursery tunes in comparison to this.....technically and emotionally unmatched....

[ars83yt]

Just fantastic!

[def3mno62]

what the fuck man? this is fucking crazy

[0saki1siki]

@def3mno62 Look in the mirror.The fuck man will be reflected in there.

[def3mno62]

@0saki1siki uh what?

[mikejr41387]

@0saki1siki LOL that is histerical

[z3139720]

At 3 past midnight it is VERY impressively

[tcombs85]

This seems like the utmost demanding technical piece. However, it lacks the beauty, control, and otherworldy feeling that Rach 3 captures. It is pretty and at times exquisite but its theme is much less appealing that R3 and seems like it is tangential at times. All that said, this is definitely one of the most rediculously awesome pieces of music and performances of all time. IMHO, Id say this is the most difficult piece, but ranking behind Rach 3 and many other piano concertos overall.

[ciiito]

@tcombs85 Remember, that is very subjective, and som think this is more appeling, like myself, even if I overall prefer Rachmaninovs music over prokofievs =)

[8JustGoodMusic8]

@tcombs85 Disagreed. Imagine, the cadenza in the first movement is not a cadenza actually... This concerto has captured a technique so demanding, and though it describes the image it wants to... So deeply inner it is, speaking of a suicide, so simple the three-note theme is on the contrary of the Rach 3, which is also one of my very favourite. No one is "Better", but they present different images in front of our eyes. I would say the same for Scriabin Concerto. Inner is the word.

[jhoward1957]

Too good

[wnaenni]

Grandioso!

[SSSLAWWWA]

Too fast...

[Tuck213]

@SSSLAWWWA Nah, too slow.

[niels2260]

The theme in the 1st movement is fantastic. That combined with the performance of a so gifted piano player, enchants you, so that you cannot help watch it. He plays the piece perfect. If I should compare this concerto with the other 4, I wouldn't hesitate saying, this is the best of them.

[rhdprimavera]

wow... just amazing... BRAVO, BRAVO!!!! I love his performance especially 1st mov. I wish I could make powerful and deep sounds like him.

[metaldude18]

I miss having a piano to play :(

[ukdavepianoman]

What's "depressing" about this concerto (purely from a technical point of view) is that most of the concerto is even more difficult than the cadenza!

This concerto, Rach 3 and Brahms 2 are the concertos that sort out the men from the boys and the women from the girls.

[tjtheplay]

@ukdavepianoman Seriously the rest is harder than the Cadenza?!

[ukdavepianoman]

@tjtheplay Yes ! Don't get me wrong...the cadenza is extremely difficult...but a lot of the concerto is even more difficult I think. The 2nd movement is very very tough, and the last movement is full of huge leaps. There are some passages that are easier but not many. Of course it all depends what a pianist finds difficult or not...

[tjtheplay]

@ukdavepianoman Ooooh I thought you were just talking about the first movement!

But yeah, I think the second and fourth movement are harder than the cadenza.

[MozartK365]

@ukdavepianoman hmm...what about Bartok piano concerto no.1 and 2?

[ukdavepianoman]

@MozartK365 I was just talking about different movements of this piece.

Not got scores for Bartok 1 and 2 so can't say. But I've heard Bartok PC 2 and it is tough.

[FonPacific]

gorgeous!!!

[rhdprimavera]

bravissimo!!! love this performance!!

[dommboi69]

the 1st movement cadenza is insane! and i thought rach 3 sounded hard...

[OrangeSodaKing]

@dommboi69 And that's only the first movement. ;) The others are ridiculous, too.

[MrYou2ber]

There was a Bronfman Prok2 and no one told me?!!

[TheKeenanBoy]

@MrYou2ber

He's recorded them too. Ill send you em if you send me your email. It's incredible. And surprisingly better.

[LetTheMusicFlow1]

@MrYou2ber I was thinking the same thing. I NEVER GOT THE MEMO

[ngpiano72]

I love Prokofiev's piano concertos so much!

[TheKeenanBoy]

Thank you so much.

[davidbaker03]

I am just getting to know him as a performer, and I love his playing!