The Most Beautiful Piano Concerto: Ranking the Finest Melodic Masterpieces - StrawPoll

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The Most Beautiful Piano Concerto: Ranking the Finest Melodic Masterpieces

Voting rules: Choose the Piano Concerto you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on Apr 17, 2024 06:26

Welcome to StrawPoll, where your opinions take center stage! Today, we embark on a melodic journey to discover the most beautiful Piano Concerto. A symphony of emotions, these pieces have captivated audiences for centuries with their evocative harmonies, delicate melodies, and powerful crescendos. As fellow connoisseurs of this exquisite art form, we invite you to join us in casting your vote for your favorite Piano Concerto or suggest a hidden gem that deserves the spotlight. Together, we'll orchestrate a definitive ranking that resonates with music lovers across the globe. So, let your fingers dance on the keys and create a harmony of voices as we explore the enchanting world of Piano Concertos – where every note tells a story.

What Is the Most Beautiful Piano Concerto?

1

43
votes
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart · Public domain

Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

This concerto is one of the most well-known and beloved piano concertos ever written. Its beautiful melodies and virtuosic piano passages make it a true masterpiece.
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a renowned piece of classical music. It was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1785 and is considered one of his most popular piano concertos. The concerto features a beautiful and expressive melody, accompanied by intricate and virtuosic piano passages. It is a significant work in the classical piano repertoire and has been widely performed and recorded by various pianists and orchestras around the world.

Key: C major

Catalogue Number: K. 467

Composition Year: 1785

Genre: Classical

Instrumentation: Piano and orchestra
2

50
votes
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff

This concerto is known for its romantic and lyrical melodies, as well as its technical demands on the pianist. It is one of Rachmaninoff's most popular works.
The Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 is a composition for piano and orchestra by Sergei Rachmaninoff. It is considered one of the most beautiful and popular piano concertos of all time. Rachmaninoff composed this concerto between 1900 and 1901, and it was first performed in 1901 with the composer as the soloist.

Key: C minor

Opus Number: Op. 18

Composition Year: 1901

Premiere Year: 1901

Instrumentation: Piano and Orchestra
3

21
votes
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

This concerto is known for its passionate and dramatic themes, as well as its virtuosic piano passages. It is one of Tchaikovsky's most popular works.
The Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is a renowned and beloved piano concerto. It was composed between November 1874 and February 1875 and premiered in Boston in 1875. The concerto showcases Tchaikovsky's exceptional talent for writing emotional and expressive music.

Key: B-flat minor

Opus Number: Op. 23

Composition Period: November 1874 - February 1875

Premiere Date: 1875

Premiere Location: Boston
4

6
votes
Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73 "Emperor" by Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven

This concerto is known for its majestic and heroic themes, as well as its technical demands on the pianist. It is one of Beethoven's most popular works.
The Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, also known as the Emperor Concerto, is a masterpiece composed by Ludwig van Beethoven. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful piano concertos ever written. This concerto was written between 1809 and 1811 and was first performed in 1811 in Leipzig, Germany.

Key: E-flat major

Opus number: Op. 73

Alternative name: Emperor Concerto

Composition period: 1809-1811

First performance: 1811 in Leipzig, Germany
5

21
votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain

Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 by Sergei Rachmaninoff

Sergei Rachmaninoff

This concerto is known for its complex and virtuosic piano passages, as well as its lyrical and emotional themes. It is considered one of Rachmaninoff's most challenging works for the pianist.
The Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 is a highly regarded and beautiful piano concerto composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff. It is often considered as one of the most challenging and emotionally captivating concertos in the classical repertoire. Rachmaninoff himself featured as the soloist in the premiere performance of the concerto in New York in 1909, which was conducted by Walter Damrosch.

Key: D minor

Opus: Op. 30

Premiere Year: 1909

Premiere Location: New York

Composer as Soloist: Sergei Rachmaninoff
6

17
votes
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 by Ludwig van Beethoven

Ludwig van Beethoven

This concerto is known for its lyrical and delicate themes, as well as its technical demands on the pianist. It is one of Beethoven's most elegant and refined works.
The Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 by Ludwig van Beethoven is a mesmerizing composition that showcases the genius of the renowned composer. Written between 1805 and 1806, it is considered one of Beethoven's most beautiful and innovative piano concertos.

Key: G major

Opus Number: Op. 58

Composition Period: 1805-1806

Duration: Approximately 33 minutes

Structure: Three movements: Allegro moderato, Andante con moto, Rondo vivace
7

11
votes
Breitkopf & Härtel · Public domain

Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 by Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin

This concerto is known for its poetic and romantic themes, as well as its technical demands on the pianist. It is considered one of Chopin's most beautiful works.
The Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 by Frédéric Chopin is a renowned composition for piano and orchestra. It was composed between 1829 and 1830 and is considered one of Chopin's most significant works. This concerto showcases Chopin's distinctive romantic style and virtuosic piano writing.

Key: F minor

Opus: 21

Composition Period: 1829-1830

Form: Three movements: Maestoso, Larghetto, Allegro vivace

Length: Approximately 30 minutes
8

6
votes
Breitkopf & Härtel · Public domain

Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 by Frédéric Chopin

Frédéric Chopin

This concerto is known for its lyrical and expressive themes, as well as its virtuosic piano passages. It is one of Chopin's most popular and beloved works.
The Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 by Frédéric Chopin is a renowned concerto for piano and orchestra. Composed in 1830, it is one of Chopin's most beloved and influential works. The concerto consists of three movements, with the first movement containing a fiery and dramatic opening, followed by a lyrical and expressive second movement, and concluding with a virtuosic and energetic final movement. Chopin's virtuoso piano writing, combined with his lyrical melodies and emotional depth, make this concerto a true masterpiece of the Romantic era.

Key: E minor

Opus Number: Op. 11

Composition Year: 1830

Movements: 3

First Movement Style: Fiery and dramatic
9

8
votes
Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125 by Franz Liszt

Franz Liszt

This concerto is known for its technical demands on the pianist, as well as its beautiful and dramatic themes. It is one of Liszt's most challenging works for the pianist.
The Piano Concerto No. 2 in A major, S. 125 is a renowned piano concerto composed by Franz Liszt. It is considered one of his most beautiful and virtuosic compositions.

Key: A major

Catalogue Number: S. 125

Composition Year: 1839-1861

Premiere: January 7, 1857

Movements: 4
10

5
votes
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 by Camille Saint-Saëns

Camille Saint-Saëns

This concerto is known for its beautiful and lyrical themes, as well as its technical demands on the pianist. It is considered one of Saint-Saëns' most popular works.
The Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 by Camille Saint-Saëns is a magnificent piece of music that showcases the virtuosity of the piano along with a rich and expressive orchestral accompaniment. It was composed in 1868 and is considered one of Saint-Saëns' most popular and beloved compositions.

Key: G minor

Opus Number: 22

Year of Composition: 1868

Movements: 4

Duration: Approximately 25 minutes

Missing your favorite Piano Concerto?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for beautiful Piano Concerto

Melody

A beautiful piano concerto typically has captivating and memorable melodies that linger long after the performance is over. The melodies should demonstrate emotional depth, range, and a balance between virtuosity and simplicity.
Harmony

Harmonies play a crucial role in establishing the overall mood, atmosphere, and beauty of a piano concerto. They should be rich, engaging, and thoughtfully designed to enhance the melodic lines.
Orchestration

The arrangement of instruments and voices in a piano concerto contributes significantly to its beauty. A well-orchestrated concerto will have a balance between the solo piano and the accompanying orchestra, utilizing the unique characteristics of each instrument to complement one another.
Emotional expression

A beautiful piano concerto should touch the hearts of its listeners, evoking emotions such as joy, sorrow, passion, and awe. The composer's ability to convey emotions through the music is essential in creating a moving and captivating work.
Structure and form

A well-structured concerto will have a clear sense of direction, with ideas developing logically and cohesively. This often includes recognizable forms such as the three-movement structure (fast-slow-fast), which is typical in classical piano concertos.
Balance and contrast

A beautiful piano concerto will effectively balance and contrast themes, textures, dynamics, and tempos. This can provide contrast between quiet and introspective moments and exciting and virtuosic passages.
Originality and innovation

While a beautiful piano concerto may draw on familiar musical language, it should also display originality and innovation in its composition. This may involve the use of innovative techniques, unique harmonies, and imaginative thematic material.
Performance and interpretation

Finally, the beauty of a piano concerto can be significantly impacted by the skill and musicality of the performers. A sensitive and passionate interpretation by the solo pianist and the accompanying orchestra can elevate the beauty of any concerto.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful Piano Concerto. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Concerto is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

1964 views
187 votes
10 ranked items

Movers & Shakers

Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58 by Ludwig van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22 by Camille Saint-Saëns

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Concerto once every 24 hours. The rank of each Concerto is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful piano concerto

The piano concerto has been a staple of classical music for centuries. It is a musical form that showcases the virtuosity of both the solo pianist and the accompanying orchestra. Over the years, composers have written countless piano concertos, each with its own unique style and beauty. From the romantic melodies of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 to the dramatic intensity of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, there is no shortage of stunning works to choose from. Whether you're a seasoned classical music aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, exploring the world of piano concertos can be a truly enriching experience. So, what is the most beautiful piano concerto? That's a question that's sure to spark lively debate among music lovers around the globe.