Customer Reviews for Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30
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anonymous
Location: from unknown
Difficulty Level:
Beginner
April 7, 2011
rach 3
this piece is amazingly easy to play. I thought it would be hard but i can play this with one hand behind my back, while hopping on one foot. (FOR REAL MAN!!!!) I am 22 but have larger hands than rach himself and I am 6" 13
13 of 29 people found this review helpful.
Sam
Location: from San Diego, CA
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
April 7, 2009
Rach. 3
Rachmaninoff's Third Gets A lot of Attention From Shine. And I Think That It Is Harder Than The 12 Transcendental Studies And Etudes. Some Passeges Are So Hard It's Like A Karate Chop Of Liszt! During The Finale: Alla Breve I Saw A Chord Very Big. You Would Probubly Need Four Pianos, Eight Hands! When You Look At This Piece Just Remember One Thing ... BE CARFUL!
13 of 39 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
January 6, 2009
great piece, great edition
rachmaninoff's third piano concerto is one of the most difficult and beautiful piano concerto's ever written. Heavyily romantic melodies with lush chords, what more could a virtuoso pianist want?? even though that it will talkes ages to perfect for most people, once completed, will become an invaluable asset to every pianist's repetoire
20 of 38 people found this review helpful.
holly
Location: from Guildford
June 5, 2008
play it from the heart!.....
Its evident in this beautiful and amazing concerto the complex difficulty and amount of feeling you have to insinuate whilst playing this monster of a piece. Although admittedly it is uncannily difficult once learnt no one can take it away from you and it is one of the most gratifying feelings. If you've got the drive to keep on doing it then give it a shot!
19 of 39 people found this review helpful.
Jon Jay
Location: from Alberta
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
June 4, 2008
Not to be feared, but loved
This piece is definitely not too difficult to play. Granted, it is not too easy, but it definitely is playable by a devout practicer with many years of study under his or her belt. Get past your fear of it, and you will start to see what a masterpiece this piece is. This edition is cheap, but adequate to anyone starting this piece. Buying this edition would be a smart purchase.
14 of 36 people found this review helpful.
Michael Koury - Age 16
Location: from Kingman, AZ
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
May 15, 2008
An astoundingly difficult and innovative concerto
Before I purchased this concerto, I had always heard stories about how it is the most complex and technically difficult piano concerto ever written. I never really believed it until I saw it with my own eyes. I am an amatuer virtuoso pianist, and can honestly say that every possible challenge or difficulty that can be encountered at the keyboard will be found in this piece. Triplets played against quadruplets, quintuplets, and even octuplets, as well as inhumane passages of seemingly impossible notereading are the worst of the difficulties. I would only reccomend this piece to the most advanced pianists, and it is well worth the effort and endless practicing required to learn it. May God be with you!!!
11 of 20 people found this review helpful.
Daniel Garcia, Jr. (BACH)
Location: from Laredo, TX
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
March 26, 2008
It's yours!
It's yours if you really have the passion to perform this masterpiece. It does have extreme passages, some even greater than most of the music of Liszt. Depending on the ability of the pianist it may seem simple in some parts but then it gives you like a slap on the hands to master and study depending on how advanced the pianist is and the teacher plays a major role on the actual performance of the Rac-3. It may take 10 years of study or may take 2 or maybe even 1. There are many factors involved and one, that is most common, is financial. There is much talent out there but unfortunitly this is the prime factor for many pianist. I know that I could learn it fast if my financial sistuation would be in better condition. May God has his hand upon any pianist going for it no matter what the circumstance may be. Even though I am a failled pianist because of ignorance, I still am going to exam other editions of this piece, so I can see the differences in certain passages.
4 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Chris
Location: from Portland OR
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
November 7, 2007
A piece to remember!
This piece is definetly for the older more expirienced piano players, perhaps a Savant could venture and try and suceed the first time. This isn't just a song, it's a way of life how you operate in day to day promblems and guide your way though the world. You (to fully play the song) would have to entirely dedicate your soul to not the notes, but the feeling hat comes with it.
7 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Jason C.
Location: from Valrico, FL
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
August 23, 2007
Not for the faint of Heart
Thanks to movies like shine, the Rachmaninoff piano concerto No.3 has quickly become embedded into the lexicon of pop culture. But even before such notoriety, the piece has for the longest time been recognized for its technical brilliance and almost insurmountable passages. While there are many publications of this piece, I find the Schirmer edition to be concise, affordable, and legible; something sorely needed when the pages become increasingly darkened with thousands of notes. I think this piece would make an invaluble addition to any pianist's sheet music library, regardless of skill level. The concerto is as beautiful to play as it is to listen to. Word to the wise, if it sounds difficult when listening to someone like ashkenazi or horowitz perform this concerto, chances are it will be even moreso when you get the music in your hands.
6 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from London, UK
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
June 29, 2007
Truly amazing
without a doubt the nicest concerto i have ever heard and also without a doubt the most difficult i have ever attempted! i strongly ward against playing this if you have not been playing the piano a while! VERY difficult but OH so beautiful when played correctly and with feeling.
7 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Mobile, Alabama
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
May 3, 2007
SOMETHING TO WHICH TO ASPIRE......................
What can one say about Rachmaninoff's famous 3rd Piano Concerto that has not already been said many, many times? I have to say that it is probably one of the most difficult pieces of music that I have ever attempted and it will probably be YEARS before I feel competent to perform it, but this Shirmer two-piano version is a wonderful addition to my music library. The condensation of the orchestral part to the second piano allows me to move from part to part and actually maintain the theme on one piano. It is glorious to have one of those good days at the piano when those unparalleled melodies come through with those wonderful fat chords that only Rachmaninoff and George Gershwin could achieve. I feel that both myself and my Steinway grand are at their best when performing this piece.
5 of 14 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
April 27, 2007
Beautiful
ir you liked Rachmaninoff's second concerto you will love this one
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from NJ
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
October 23, 2005
Deadly but Beautiful
Definitely one of the most beautiful piano concertos ever written. Of course, it is also the most difficult. Not only is it challenging technically, it's also very physically demanding and exhausting. An -extremely- challenging yet rewarding piece of music. It is absolutely amazing. Of course, one does not have to play it to enjoy it, thankfully!
6 of 11 people found this review helpful.
rober poortinga
Location: from damwoude, friesland, The Netherlands
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
October 9, 2005
so beautiful
this is the most beautiful piece I ever heart on the piano but be warned! The Rubinstein made much mistakes in this concerto. It's so dificult! I have lots of respect of the view people who can play it!
5 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Josh
Location: from Ohio
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
November 24, 2004
Extremely difficult, but rewarding.
Schirmer did a great job on this Rachmaninoff Concerto. It includes all of the ossias, which the pianist can opt to play if they so desire. This is in the top 3 most difficult concerti ever written and it is one of the most beautiful. If you are aspiring concert pianist, you will want to have this in your repetoire. 5 stars!
5 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Roger Bennett
Location: from Winnsboro, Tx.
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
August 11, 2004
The Beautiful but Deadly "Rach-3"
In all the years of playing and listening to piano music I have to say that this is the most beautiful and most difficult piece of music to play on the piano without a doubt. I have heard stories of how some who have tried to learn to play this and have been hurt emotionally in trying to do the difficult measures of music. This music is almost like you need all ten of your fingers on each hand. But I must say that to be able to perform this is an acheivement beyond all recognition in all of the repertoire of music. I wish those the best of luck who wish to play this piece, and my utmost congratulations to those who acheive in playing this.
5 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Piano Man
Location: from Canada
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
June 16, 2004
Good music
This is THE most difficult concerto in the world PERIOD. I would advise that if you want to spend the next ten years learning it to get a better edition of the music, unless you want to buy this purely for novelty purposes. Schirmers is great economically, but it doesnt cut it for quality.
6 of 13 people found this review helpful.
Anonymous
Location: from Philadelphia, PA
Difficulty Level:
Advanced
December 22, 2002
Greatest Concerto Ever Written
This is indisputably the greatest and most difficult piano concerto yet written. Be prepared for daunting passages of incredible difficulty, but also be prepared for the most beautiful melodies you've ever heard. There are so many memorable moments in this concerto all leading up to a dramatic climax that make it so rewarding.
5 of 13 people found this review helpful.