Ranking the best violin concertos 🎻 [Difficulty Tier List]

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Brahms vs Paganini - which one's more difficult? Is Lalo Symphonie Espagnole easier to play than Mozart Violin Concerto?
Let me guide you through my thought process for which violin concertos you'll get the most bang out of your buck for your practice time!
0:00 - Intro
03:29 - Tchaikovsky
07:17 - Brahms
09:17 - Prokofiev
10:45 - Barber
12:40 - Beethoven
15:53 - Conclusion

[@RayChenViolinist]

Now you know which concertos are the easiest ones to practice, what are you waiting for? Go join the others and practice on Tonic: tonicmusic.app/join-in 🎵

[@heitron81]

Tonic is amazing! You REALLY meet other people and can talk about their and your playing. (Not to mention the motivational booster due to gamification of your practice.)

[@randylazer2894]

Ray....I think there is a bit of a distinction between what is easy, and a category above easy, for Ray, with respect to the rest of us violinists that ...might not have won the Queen Elizabeth Competition! Ray....I have an amazing story of that most prestigious international competition that you won. I live in Las Vegas, and two houses down from mine, I noticed when getting the mail some absolutely brilliant piano playing, as a couple had moved in a few months ago. Due to a package being misdelivered, I rang the doorbell (just two weeks ago), and this very nice lady answered. I told her that she is an amazing pianist, and she shared that she had graduated from Julliard (not Curtis, but whatever!), and had concertized internationally, as she is from Taiwan, and taught piano. But....... she was not the best pianist in her home! That is her husband, for which she told me that he won the Queen Elizabeth competition....and he is Lukas Vondracek, the piano winner from 2016. So Ray....here is where it gets to be astoundingly unbelievable.....I then was talking with Lukas, and my response to hearing that he won the Queen Elizabeth competition was "That is beyond amazing..... And.....my uncle won the Queen Elizabeth Competition! Lukas' jaw dropped! He couldn't believe it, but yes, my Uncle was Berl Senofsky who was a great violinist of the 20th century, and has a legendary recording of the Brahms violin concerto with the Vienna Symphony and performed with the NY Phil and probably every major symphony throughout the world. I then said...."Lukas....there are 8 billion people in this world, and only about 80 have won the Queen Elizabeth competition. You move into a new house, and not even two doors down, your family isn't the only winner of the Queen Elizabeth competition!" Seriously what are the odds??? Lukas is from Czech Republic, performed all over the world, was in Boston for awhile, moves into a new house and then hears from the guy two doors down "The Queen Elizabeth Competition? Yeah, my uncle won that, no big deal!" Lukas is great guy and actually moved to Vegas because he likes hiking and it is a lot easier living here than LA or New York, and a lot less expensive. As I also play jazz and blues on the piano, even though his technical prowess is exponentially beyond mine, I might show him how to play some blues and get him out in the mountains where I run. For me, even though I performed with symphonies and chamber orchestras, and performed jazz at many venues in Las Vegas, and have an upcoming jazz-60's-70's violin cd to be released next year, I was not nowhere close to being the best violinist in my family, about a universe away from that! The sad part about my Uncle....seriously.....he didn't practice. I think sometimes he basically warmed up, and then just went on stage with symphonies in Chicago, NY, London, or wherever. Ray....he could have used your Tonic App......maybe that could have gotten him to practice more! I truly wonder how great he could have been if he would have practiced 3 or 4 hours a day. Also my cousin sold his violin to Ruggiero Ricci (I think a Guadagnini), and Ricci met my cousin with a suitcase of $250,000 of cash. Well that's what that instrument was worth in 2002, and it had been up for sale with a prominent violin dealer. Well that's my story Ray......for my next comment, allow me to share the rankings of those pieces for the rest of us violinists!

[@randylazer2894]

Ray on your rankings...for say the rest of us who are reasonably accomplished on the violin, but out of respect to Paganini et al, probably shouldn't perform their music beyond the confines of our living rooms.....allow me to share my perspective (as I am working on Paganiniana and used to be able to play Sibelius and the last movement of Tchaikovsky....to give you a feeling of my skill level..or lack thereof). Yes Vivaldi, Bach, and Haydn concerti......easy. Ray gets 100% on that. Beethoven and Brahms get an "S"? Probably for interpretation, musicality and expressiveness, but on a technical level, I played Beethoven in college (not with an orchestra) and if I could play it...... that is no S my friend.....that's a B, maybe even a C. Bruch and Mendelssohn are no C Ray....definitely B. Tchaikovsky is harder than Beethoven and Brahms. By the way, I think almost everybody plays the last page of the Tchaikovsky concerto too slow. I play it really fast, or what I term my "time management version". Do that last page really fast Ray.....I think it works, especially the last few lines....and some violinists slur those notes, and I don't like that. Just rip it man! Ray.....almost anything by Paganini gets an S....with or without double harmonics. Then Hadelich thinks the cadenza for Ligeti's concerto is in the competition for most difficult. Mozart's 4th gets an A? Not sure on that one, maybe a C regarding the technical aspects, but the delicate passages and precision that is a different nature. Well, whether right or wrong, those are my thoughts, and I thank you for sharing from your tremendous experience and your sheer brilliance and incredible playing of how you rank these. If you give Bruch and Mendelssohn a C.....I might have to start playing viola!

[@juliancardenas4474]

Could you also do a raking for violin-piano "show" pieces? Thanks!

[@NIkZIm_]

You could go check out Ichika Nito - Awakening for your next challenge. He has an awesome style and really interesting phrasing 😁

[@HansKuhlmann]

Easy for Ray doesn't mean easy for us. You need a lot of violin lessons to play the Bach concerto. And the four seasons, especially winter are far from pieces for beginners.

[@grilloderiver]

I mean Vivaldi A minor is the easiest i think by far, technically at least. Bach i would think no less than 5 years before you can play it decently.

[@alexandreboyenval3140]

Tchaikovski in « middle hard » section let you know enough about Ray’s technical skills…

[@ElsweyrDiego]

vivaldi a minor 3rd movement suzuki version if played really presto as intended is C tier. but almost everyone plays it at a moderade tempo because it's easier (to the player and to the listener). the non-suzuki version i think keeps on easy tier even on presto.@@grilloderiver

[@grilloderiver]

@@ElsweyrDiego If Bruch 1 is c tier i can't put vivaldi up there, but like they said Ray has his own rating system, because he is a master at violin.

[@HansKuhlmann]

The Vivaldi a minor is one of the first 'real' concertos you play when learning the violin. The 'easy' ones (yellow) are rather advanced and what comes next is not reacheable for every hobby musician.

[@sabrinai]

Now upload a video in which you play all the concertos in one go 😊.

[@Isabella-qw8sf]

Yes

[@fancyfouchard3491]

Yes

[@InstrumentalistElle]

Yes

[@sigurdraude-4099]

Yes

[@amoggvenkat710]

Yes

[@yiqingtan4079]

The more I watch this, the more I am keenly aware Ray is just on a different level.... No way any of those are actually easy... It's just easier from a seasoned professional violin soloist perspective.

[@john1951w]

Indeed. He speaks as a top rank soloist.

[@breannakimes3207]

Mendolson's concerto in E minor struck me as a small child, and it still always lights up my day, more than 40yrs later

[@Alix777.]

Completely overplayed, lost all its appeal to me

[@ranonampangom2185]

@@Alix777. Poor you!!

[@hansdekorver7365]

@@Alix777. Try some other version.

[@ethanhcomposer]

As a cellist I'm absolutely jealous of the violin's repertoire, it is absolutely amazing.

[@mr.incognito9100]

Imagine being a violist...

[@ethanhcomposer]

@@mr.incognito9100 understandable, although I absolutely adore Forsyth's Viola Concerto

[@MowSow]

You shouldn’t be jealous, size matters 🤣😂😂

[@burburchacha]

it's still not too late to start learning the violin 🤣

[@paganina2330]

And as a violinist I‘m jealous of your Tchaikovsky Rococo variations😉 or Elgar‘s cello concerto.

[@SimplyThree]

Bruh who edits your videos?!?!?! So entertaining!!!! So well done!! 🎻🎻🎻

[@SimonEggert-et9gu]

🤣

[@neeltheother2342]

I find the editing to be a bit heavy-handed and cringy imo

[@dan...dandan...]

​@@neeltheother2342it's funny because it cringy😂

[@tfh5575]

the uncle sam filter when he pointed and said “you” was so funny to me for no reason 😭😭

[@huitrecouture]

@@neeltheother2342 Don't be a jerk.

[@rustemtnymkulov9116]

Musicians of all levels have different opinions on the difficulty scaling, but as a rule, Brahms is always up there😅

[@hayoolleeviolin9779]

So true!

[@PETERJOHN101]

I think it's the greatest symphonic work ever written.

[@kumo-kun1831]

Brahms is not a violinist 😉 he consulted joachim for the passages but how he wrote the solo’s still very pianistic in my point of view

[@lc-b352]

AND Beethoven omg !!!

[@palestrinabrahmsfan]

I wish so hard he has a cello concerto, but he didn't have one.......... cry.

[@MoreNikocado]

Tchaikovsky and Sebelius are in the same difficulty level as Lalo????? I think not……..

[@darkfire2959]

haha Nikocado I just can't believe u still practice violin :0

[@ghysals]

its not difficulty, its by order of practice to reward; thats why he put beethoven above paganini.

[@mohammedkebir8696]

I fully agree.

[@Telopead]

I don’t think his list was about technical difficulties of these pieces. It’s about the “how hard is it to have an impact on your audience with these music as a performer on the stage, taking in the consideration of both technicality and musicality of each one of them.”

[@schewts]

though i dont like your mukbang videos, its great to see you still in the violin community

[@bbbartolo]

For a non-violinist but violin fan, this was a fascinating inside look! Thanks

[@lakatos1683]

That’s a great way to sort the concertos. I really liked hearing your reasoning behind each piece.

[@the1disaster]

I like that you talked about which ones sound more impressive - something to consider for a performance is that there are some pieces where it seems the only people who like them are musicians! And they might be the only people who appreciate them! So playing something that everyone can follow and appreciate is sometimes the right call.

[@myrtillegrandesoreilles8275]

I love these kind of music nerdy videos!!! It allows to get to know pieces better, get another view on them, without drowning in a shower of information

[@RainbowAceOfSpades]

I understand Bruch 1 may not be the most technically difficult violin concerto out there but for me it is the gold standard of a violin concerto musically. The first movement is so intense, brooding, and dark. The second movement is so beautiful, sweet, and melancholic. The third movement is so fun, vibrant, and jubilant. The concerto really paints a story for me and because of that it holds a special place in my heart. Lastly, would have loved to see the Butterfly Lover's Violin Concerto on this list and how you would have placed that piece.

[@lunaic9446]

He probably would’ve ranked it as mid C tier. It’s relatively easy and definitely a bang for your buck.

[@RainbowAceOfSpades]

@@lunaic9446 yeah I would agree as well

[@JeanDeLaCroix_]

What violinist for Bruch iyo ?

[@john1951w]

It's a concerto that many a youth orchestra player has a crack at. Pretty easy. I love it though!!

[@ahumanmerelybeing]

@@JeanDeLaCroix_ Ray is my go-to for the Bruch! He does it on his album called The Golden Age, and I love his interpretation; that recording is what made me a fan both of the concerto and of Ray. :)

[@VoyageMediaGroup]

I like that you include "impact" and even "getting it right" as part of your analysis! This was a fun video..

[@Dilsli]

Please, make more videos like this, discussing pieces! We all love them!

[@flexaeterna]

I was gonna say, what about Saint-Säens?! The B minor concerto is one of my fave and the 2nd movement of the Korngold is just magical. Nice selection 👍

[@disjunction66]

Seconded! Rondo and Capriccio is my favorite violin concerto of all time. Would’ve liked to see it ranked.

[@gideondoering6512]

​@@disjunction66 that's not a violin concerto, merely a piece (introduction and rondo) for violin plus orchestra. Saint Saëns did write a few violin concertos though (Nr. 3 being the most popular)

[@mercywuehler6908]

Can you get a well known cellist and have them do a tier list for all the cello concertos?!?! 🤩

[@jamie6293]

I also love the Mendelssohn concerto, especially the 2nd movement. Always great content, thanks Ray😊

[@peskypesky]

This was really fun and informative. And now there are a bunch of violin concertos I need to hear!

[@LunaSuJu]

omg 04:29 Turkey mentioned! lately I've been binge-watching Ray's videos, idk they just make me happy and feel at ease and seeing the flag of my country -which is not well-known- made my day yay! as I go to watch your other videos, sending love and much appreciation from Turkey! Thank you!

[@altoclef6688]

From a musical perspective, I would put Prokofiev 1 as my favourite. The weird mysterious harmonies and the lyrical solo parts give me goosebumps. My favourite recording on KZbin has been blocked, but fortunately I have it downloaded. It is with Sayaka Shoji as soloist.

[@sophiecameron1480]

Likewise my favourite. 3rd mvt is like a Russian fairy tale

[@user-ob6ll3wv9c]

Prokofiev is really underrated. His able to create wonderfull atmospheres. 2nd movement from 2nd concerto is one of the most beautiful things I've heard. You can also check his violin sonata 1 (3d mov is beautiful)

[@tbarrelier]

Does anyone know why Heifetz never recorded #1? My favorite recording of #2 is Isaac Stern (with Bernstein, I think).

[@kogijogi]

@@tbarrelierI do reccomend Janine Jansen

[@rawvision6701]

I love the Goldmark and Khachaturian concertos. The Strauss concerto is also a favorite.

[@Bitterblogger]

Yes, I thought Khachaturian’s belonged. Evidently still fighting for more respect, though the LA Phil recently performed the love theme from Spartacus and the Piano Concerto.

[@infledermaus]

I love these videos because I get to learn something and hear your brilliant playing!

[@ZacLavender]

Great to see a tier list of these amazing pieces. Also thought it was interesting to hear part of your criteria of audience perception and payoff relative to time put into the piece. Good to know for anyone who wants to learn the repertoire.

[@skisunfb]

Great job, thanks! FYI, Erich Wolfgang Korngold was born in Moravia, part of Austria Hungary in the day, and studied (and taught) at the Vienna Music Academy. He didn’t move to the States until he was 37 and is therefore considered Austrian or Austrian-American, definitely not American. Mahler and others considered him the greatest musical prodigy since Mozart and Mendelssohn…Cheers.

[@gregorydocenko4019]

You should do another one on show pieces such as Tzigane, Zigeunerweisen, Introduction et Rondo Caprocciosso, Havanaise, Chaunsson Poem, etc. even the easy Beethoven Romance and Meditation from Thais.

[@freeziez8569]

Yes, that would be cool. At least, including the first five you mentioned. Maybe have the floor be something like Praeludium and Allegro, though.

[@gae11e]

I'm actually working Beethoven's Romance and it is not THAT easy 😁

[@freeziez8569]

​@@gae11e I suspect a difficulty tier list of the 30 most popular violin showpieces would probably look more like a pyramid with, say, the Waxman Carmen Fantasy and the Wieniawski Variations on an Original Theme on the S tier. Then the Ravel Tzigane, Sarasate Carmen Fantasy and a couple others on the A tier. And then something like 6 pieces on the B tier, 8 pieces on the C tier, and 10 pieces on the D tier.

[@Figjamxlaststar]

These are more performance pieces than concerto’s. Coming from a performance perspective these pieces of music are extremely challenging because there is an element of being absolute about your playing. You have to know them like the back of your hand, you have to live and breath them. They may not be the complex but believe you me,there is nothing better than playing them right and hearing the recognition from an audience. I think this to be the case for any instrument, you can;t hide mistakes in pieces of music that everyone knows well. Just my thoughts.!

[@Figjamxlaststar]

@@gae11eNo it’s absolutely not my friend. However if i may add advice on this. When playing this really change your mind set from Technical to Emotional! Really consider Beethoven’s emotional state, the exact period of time it was written and the state of Europe in this period. Approach the piece from the perspective of a call and an answer, a song from one lover to another. Also even consider getting a thicker G string and using gut strings for the D. Really try and get a long and wide vibrato on the low notes to draw out that emotional and passionate sound. This piece is all about the emotion! Hope this may have helped.

[@LL-ds5kl]

So impressive and so practical how you organize and introduce the master prices to is. Thank you very much! ❤

[@jinjiang9210]

Thanks. This is a very informatic video for all the violin concerto 👍

[@katarzynam4937]

I know, it's nothing groundbreaking, but this violin makes just most beautiful sound 💜 It's such a pleasure to hear you play!

[@rodrigoodonsalcedocisneros9266]

Would like if you can do s tier list of the most underrated/unknown violin pieces out there.

[@penguinlover2274]

Thank you, I've been waiting for this video for weeks now, since you teased this in one of your previous ones! *Does happy dance* And it is nice to know your perspective on these concertos. I am too scared to attempt any of these still. Maybe one day! :)

[@personalnotesmusic]

Loved this video....makes me want to pull the concertos out of my files and re-learn them!

[@Dilsli]

I'm a Sibelius kinda person. And the Brahms... so sublime! Bartok 2 is also fantastic!

[@douglascj16]

Agree, Sibelius and Brahms are the greatest.

[@ranonampangom2185]

Ick. Bartok. Just why.

[@watutman]

My favorite violin concertos are Dvorak, Brahms and Sibelius. The Dvorak is not played enough.

[@captainrex6484]

My orchestra did the Beethoven violin concert (which I absolutely loved) but if I had to pick a favorite, it would probably be Sibelius

[@happyyas3293]

Thank you Ray, that was really helpful

[@lpa9974]

Hi Ray 🤗 I have recently found your KZbin channel and love watching your videos! I am not a violinist-I play the piano (not concert level). Even though it was not your intended topic, I loved being able to put the composer name with a face and also learn the correct pronunciations. Thanks again and see you in the next video. 👌 😃

[@Mar3n3lis3]

The Brahms violin concerto is my absolute fav!! Would love a rundown on what stuff in Brahms is hard (and why!) and what is okay!! Would be useful for composers I think

[@VaughanMcAlley]

This is an interesting video from a composer’s perspective-if you make a performer work hard, they need it to be rewarding.

[@palestrinabrahmsfan]

you would need to be more specific with your question. Are you referring to his violin solo writing, or contrapuntal passages, or orchestration, or other works?

[@PETERJOHN101]

I found this ranking very interesting as I am not a violinist. As for the concerto I prefer, I would choose the Brahms however I have to admit I haven't heard all of the ones listed. Thanks for the lighthearted approach.

[@AdrianaBooker]

Love love love these videos Ray !!!!

[@ofigli]

I just Love the Sibelius Concerto, it is deeply rooted in my Heart.

[@adamdesanti6713]

This is fascinating. Hearing virtuoso Ray Chen dissect violin concertos is a lot like watching Charles Cornell dissecting the chords of musical pieces on his piano. Two absolute masters at work. One certainly respects their judgments!

[@wassimmousa3408]

I feel so humbled rn thank you Ray 🥲

[@peterschaffter826]

What an incredibly enjoyable video. Thanks.

[@703elee]

I'm so happy to see someone giving so much to Beethoven........I've often heard (albeit from non violinists but still musicians) that to them Beethoven, while super melodic and sweet, is just a bunch of arpeggios and scales and a little part of me inside dies every time I hear that. I did enjoy that this list was more of a "hard to get right" list vs a "hard" vs "easy" list. 2 thumbs up!

[@lt_johnmcclane]

That sounds like something I’d say when I was like thirteen and thought I knew everything lol I mean diminishing Beethoven to nothing but scales and arpeggios is almost too dumb to even pay any mind to

[@dmwalker24]

The challenge in Beethoven is bringing out the beauty of that piece, and not just playing scales and arpeggios. Very little vibrato to hide behind. Written by a pianist with little regard for how comfortable it would be in the hand for violinists. It's exceedingly difficult, and absolutely stunning when done correctly.

[@703elee]

@lt_johnmcclane well but also I think the beethoven at times does take a back seat to more flashier concertos BECAUSE it doesn't have those "flashy" sections that the other "great" concertos do. I find it exponentially harder to play vs Tchaikovsky

[@tygrtales6319]

I’m a violist but I bought a violin just to learn Sibelius😂 I’ve listened to it for like 300 days in a row it’s literally the best piece ever

[@MishaSkripach]

Can you???

[@stravinskyfan]

great video, very entertaining and inspiring. thank you so much

[@myu-musicisuniversal2554]

Great great video!! I am not a player but my favourite violin concerto by far is the Brahms one.

[@93pixels70]

My Dad gave me this musical history book where you can look up different pieces and read about the history behind it. Was unsure where to start (because there are too many good things out there!!!), but you've helped me choose a couple to read about first! Thanking! Also, we should make these into a playlist.

[@ninal.264]

Ooh that sounds super interesting, do you have the name by any chance??

[@xzamine5198]

having played the korngold and the sibelius, trust me the korngold 3rd movement made me shed more tears than sibelius 3rd movement😭😭

[@silentstringquartet]

Thank you Ray for this list. I am avid violin concerto fans and been listening to all of those for the last 20 years. I made a list in my unknown blogspot some ten years ago. Just to add some spice, here my other favorite violin concerto that not made it into your list are: Khachaturian, Violin Concerto in Dm Walton, Elgar in Bm, Myaskovsky in Dm, Saint Saenz No.2 in C Ravel's Tzigane (although this is not a concerto) Goldmark and so on.

[@neilford99]

Delius :-)

[@davemusicinca]

Glad you mentioned saint-saens, definitely belong on this list. Currently bringing back the 3rd mvt of the no.3

[@amazoniam3695]

Thank you Ray! 🍻 Side note: I'm really glad you moved The 4 Seasons up in difficulty. Primarily because it's such popular "show off" material, and based on some of the atrocious versions I've heard, actually very difficult to do well. Now please rank Bach 1001 - 1006 😀

[@CRUNCHYYRAPSUPREME]

oh id love to do a lengthy break down of some of your favorite concertos !

[@reinaldodeoliveira5088]

great ray chen . you are giving us joy and hope

[@Okamy1993]

Thats helpful, thank you :)

[@chrisma3256]

Tschaikowsky D is my fav. Working towards being able to play Bruch snd Tschaikowsky well.

[@glanknightfalcon4246]

I personally love the Glazunov Violin Concerto. Mainly because of the last movement. It’s one of those pieces where I can enjoy a difficult challenge and I can get lost in the wonders of the music.

[@jgbusquets]

It's a lovely piece, I like it much too.

[@BlindTom61]

Wow, this is great. Thank you so very much.

[@jasonshaw2065]

Great discussion thanks. Your two criteria lends itself to a four quadrant chart, instead of a tier list. Very cool

[@HappyG1lmor488]

Great video. I would have put Sibelius at, A tier at least or a low S.

[@john1951w]

Is that from a listener's perspective or are you a soloist? I thought the Sibelius would be higher on the list (as a listener) but Ray knows best!! :)

[@theflaggeddragon9472]

@@john1951w I've played most of these concertos and Sibelius is at least A tier. It's *really* difficult

[@HappyG1lmor488]

@@john1951w Yes I play professionally. I would guess a large chunk of Ray's audience does. No one "knows best".

[@nigelbaboolal5072]

I'd like to see 2 separate tier lists, 1 with just difficulty, and another with just, how appealing it is to you. I'd like to see how those things measure up. Do harder pieces necessarily sound better, to you.

[@wakingtheworld]

That would be interesting, yes.

[@mkeysou812]

Fascinating to see how a virtuoso ranks these pieces, and the rational for each. Many are disagreeing here but I really enjoyed this list!

[@gideoncheung8731]

I'm not too sure which one's my favourite right now, but my favourite one from Ray is the Mendelssohn. I don't really know why, but your version is perhaps the first Mendelssohn I listened to and it only grew on me more and more:)

[@vanessachromik3879]

Just played the Vivaldi a minor concerto a few days ago at a concert, it's definitely doable after 1.5 years 😄 and still great to listen to as well!

[@andyjeffrey9590]

Tchaikovsky and Sibelius should be in A category in my opinion. They are both more difficult than the Lalo.

[@aniyagonzalez_]

i agree

[@wanttotree]

Yooo this is an awesome video, Sibelius is the one that made me care about violin concerto.

[@Twice9Heartz]

Nowadays I like listening to Tchaikovsky violin concerto (especially near the end of the 1st movement) but I feel that Mendelssohn violin concerto always has a special place for me (and us violinists) :D

[@milkbread964]

its funny, im self taught and i played bruch 1 about a year ago at a competition! (i got 2nd place!), i decided to go to mendelssohn right after bc it seemed to be about the same level, im getting ready for an audition soon w Mendelssohn and im so nervous lol,, anyay good to know i made the right choice choosing Mendelssohn

[@RichardASalisbury1]

Not a violinist, but have listened to many (outside the "Romantic" era, which is generally the period from the Baroque forward that I like least). My favorite of all is probably the Bartok 2, but also love any Bach, the Mozart 3, and Beethoven, and think both Shostakovich are fantastic. I'm surprised you don't mention the Berg--too challenging to most ears perhaps?--and wonder what you would say about the Britten, which these days is being played more and more frequently.

[@MREmusique]

HAHAHA! luckily I came across your comment! I was sad that the Berg wasn't in the list as well!

[@ukjofer]

thank you Ray for arranging this. Since you also mentioned impressiveness or bang for the buck effect, it would be interesting if you added the second dimension of "impressiveness" from left to right, based on your personal experience!

[@tysondoknjas3580]

Hey Ray! You sound great! Very fun video. Some concertos I’d love to see on the list (maybe part 2, lol): Elgar, Britten, Khachaturian, Nielsen, Kabalevsky, Schumann, Glass, Szymanowski 1, Stravinsky, Walton, Berg, Adams

[@theindoorkites]

Wieniawski 1 and Brahms being my favourites 🥹

[@faithfrancisco9829]

I have been playing violin for almost 7 years as of 8 days from now and I know this piece wasn’t mentioned on this tier but I love Vivaldi’s concerto for 4 violins in b minor and I am working on the first part right now but overall my favorite concertos and music in general is from Vivaldi I LOVE Vivaldi as well as Bach and yes I know it’s common taste but both composers are my all time favorites and personally I am working on JS Bach sonata no.1 for solo violin in g minor and after I make take some options from your tier list (hopefully Mendelssohn bc I love his work too but it depends if I can play the Bach sonata first so I will see anyway, love your videos Ray and thanks for the list!🥰 keep practicing everyone!

[@williamstivelman6314]

Bravo Maestro Ray. An interesting exercise. I’d love to see your ranking of VCs by greatness (in your mind) even though I know it would be an acutely personal statement with which no other professional violinist would necessarily agree.

[@EK-9vv]

I had to learn Mozart 4 for an audition when I was a junior in HS and it was SO HARD. I went on to learn Mozart 3 and was blown away with how much easier it was 🤣

[@esteban100]

Dvorak up to S, it’s very hard. Sibelius up to A and Glazunov up to B. And for the 4 seasons, I think they are the hardest of the C tier.

[@tekgewet]

4 seasons doesn’t compare at all to bruch and especially mendelssohn imo, both musically and technically

[@esteban100]

Yes, I played Mendelssohn and musicality is very complex. But think that 4 seasons are that: 4 concertos. I can imagine that playing the 4 in one concert will be really tiring

[@eddyhoover669]

It was so interesting for you to do this!! My recent order of learning concertos was Mendelssohn-Beethoven-Tchaikovsky which I know is quite unconventional. The Beethoven isn’t maybe as technically difficult as the others but there is nowhere to hide and you are so exposed and I learned it the hard way 😭 now tackling Tchaikovsky it’s much more technically difficult but Beethoven certainly prepared me for it. Do you recommend doing Sibelius after, before Brahms?

[@consumer614]

Sorry, do you realise that you completely botched Beethoven? Every note is out of tune, intonation is horrendous. Same with Chaconne. You are not ready for those pieces, you cannot hear. Probably you will never be ready, as you are not a young child and still think you play. You need scales, etudes and more scales, Shradieck and more scales. Awful. Please don't think of touching Tchaikovsky, and bnever touch Chaconne and any Bach at all, and no Beethoven until your intonation becomes completely corrected. You need Vivaldi A minor and a strict teacher who will tell you the real things about your playing. No, you are not prepared now even for Spohr. You are still not able to hear yourself.

[@john1951w]

You are spot on. There's nowhere to hide in the Beethoven. It has to be immaculate and the first entry is a pig!!

[@consumer614]

@@john1951w Well, this guy should not be playing it.

[@calebwatson1820]

sibelius then brahms

[@eddyhoover669]

@@consumer614 I think it might have autocorrected from pain 😅

[@hashdankhog8578]

I really enjoyed seeing someone base difficulty on the how hard it is to get a good audience reaction and not just the technical difficulty.

[@captivatingcurios]

More concertos please!

[@bencartlidge11]

How about Elgar? Berg? Both very difficult, but a lot of bang for your buck!

[@josephkim5741]

In my humble opinon, I do think that glazunov should be up in the B tier, with Mendelssohn in the B tier as well. Sibelius can also go in the A tier along with Tchaikovsky, Wieniawski 2 should be in the C tier. (I currently am playing this. piece.) Please don't come after me guys this is juts my personal opinion.

[@leoartplay]

It just became a playlist on my Spotify :D

[@andygossard4293]

This is so entertaining Ray. When i was a student i always thought that Tchaikovsky would be harder than all, but getting educated. Ive only tinkered w a third of these.

[@OZI_DJ]

Your recording of wieniawski 1 is one of my favourite concerto recordings. Personally i would put it into S-Tier, because its not in an open string key and it contains those ridiculous passages. But what can i say, i play the violin since 2 years and cannot even imagine playing this piece in the next 15 years 😂😂

[@connorl4344]

Agreed, his recording of Wienawski 1 is absolutely amazing.

[@calebwatson1820]

should be S, my friend performed it in senior year of highschool and barely made it through. Finger cramps hand cramps forearm and bow arm. Painful piece to play unless ur built different

[@RE-nv4we]

Wieniawski #1 is S tier. There are just too many spots to mess up and they're all so exposed and so obvious, it's very difficult to get proper intonation in those large intervals.

[@Crisper4524]

Would love to see where the Britten and Walton violin concertos rank in this

[@bobschaaf2549]

Not keen on the Walton, but mad for the Britten. Over the last couple of decades, it's estblished itself in the repertory. It makes despair beautiful.

[@pooppee8146]

Both are instantly S tier

[@pooppee8146]

Both are harder than Beethoven and Brahms

[@garputhefork]

One that I absolutely love is Lou Harrison's double concerto for violin and cello with Javanese gamelan. 2nd place is Lou Harrison's Concerto in Slendro. Third place: Harrison's Suite for Violin and American Gamelan.

[@ericleiter6179]

So apparently...you like Lou Harrison??? JK, I do too, and I'm glad you gave him a shout out here...more people/violinists need to hear him (and other mid to late 20th Century masterpieces for the solo violin too)

[@garputhefork]

@@ericleiter6179 I had a chance to meet him! Unfortunately, I had a gig the same day/time, and it didn't happen, though.

[@ericleiter6179]

@garputhefork That sucks! What an amazing forward looking composer he was!!! He died in Lafayette IN I believe, and that's like 45 minutes from where I live...so sad

[@richardwhitehouse8762]

Another great vid, Ray. (When do you get time to practice...?) I wonder if there's a vid to be done about pairing concertos with encores. I went to a performance you gave in London about 7 years with the LPO at Festival Hall. It was Prokofiev 2, which is a favourite of mine and very well you did it too - I still remember the sound you made in the opening of the slow movement. However, what was really astonishing was the Ysaye unaccompanied sonata you did as an encore (from memory it was the one based on the E major partita). I might have heard it on the radio but I don't have a recording and certainly hadn't heard it live before. Just a tremendously effective piece. It sounded fiendish and was definitely not just something light and fluffy to end with. All in all it was a great contrast with the Prokofiev, although with some stylistic resonances. It was a wonderful choice and, as an audience member, it made me feel as though you'd given something really satisfying that I wasn't expecting. So, a belated thank you.

[@herbertkronzucker8367]

Good ranking. I agree that the Beethoven and Brahms should rank at the very top, for many reasons. No others leave you quite as exposed, no others are as rewarding when you get them right, i.e. mastery of difficulty can meet thorough musical gratification, in a non-vulgar sense. Would have been great to see the Schumann and Elgar included as well, somewhat more disjointed, though, they are.

[@freeziez8569]

I guess the Bach E-major didn't quite make the cut either.

[@PradeepJohnsonChung]

Vieuxtemps 5 might be easy for Ray, but for most players it's probably between the difficulties of Wisniewski 1 and 2 (A or B). Vieuxtemps 4 probably A.

[@omorganstudios]

Thank you x 3!!! I was looking for a list like this from another person on KZbin and they totally did not answer it...

[@kurtwidenhouse2196]

fantastic show. Sending best to you. KMW

[@Vitericus1]

Technically not a concerto, I LOVE Saint-Saëns' Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso. That looks difficult as hell. Of course, I'm not a violinist so they all look difficult. Also love the rondo from the third movement of Beethoven.

[@john1951w]

The Saint Saens sounds harder than it actually is. I love it too.

[@JacquesLuu]

3rd mvt of Sibelius aight mate defo a S rank

[@perlman7376]

You play the violin and I don't so I respect your opinion(s) on difficulty. As for sheer enjoyment as a listener, Beethoven-Heifitz, Munch and the BSO is one of my favorites. Also, Brahms-Heifetz, Reiner with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Yet another, Barber-Gil Shaham, London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn. And finally, Korngold-Gil Shaham, London Symphony Orchestra conducted by André Previn. My 4 favorite performances of violin concertos. Thanks for posting this video.

[@steveowens398]

This is very helpful Ray! I've heard enough of the pieces to have a feel for level of difficulty, and like your placements. The most difficult among them that I mastered was the Mozart 3, a little more than 50 years ago. I can still play some passages. Maybe I will break it out and torture my family a while.

[@SkunkworksProps]

Not sure I can pick a favourite. Maybe Mendelssohn. Currently practicing the Bach double though!

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

And me here still learning a concertino 😭

[@SkunkworksProps]

@@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube Which one? I still like playing some of them, they're fun little pieces.

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

@@SkunkworksProps Ferdinand kuchler 'nello stile di Antonio Vivaldi' op 15 . I'm preparing this for an audition to enter a teenage orchestra soon

[@SkunkworksProps]

@@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube Oh I really like that one! I still play it. Best of luck with the audition!

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

@@SkunkworksProps thank you

[@Zero-bu5ry]

Mendelssohn and Tchaikovsky are my favorites. Tchaikovsky- the pinnacle of Romanticism.

[@PETERJOHN101]

I mentioned Tchaikovsky and Brahms in a post the other day and some guy called them both garbage. That was just nuts.

[@Zero-bu5ry]

@@PETERJOHN101 bruhh that's blasphemy to the maestros...

[@jacobtapianieto9655]

Tchaikovsky's concerto is, I think, the King of violin concerti.

[@windwatcher11]

Brahms is easily my favorite; incredibly beautiful. It gives me a very good idea of the range of talent of the violinist. 😉

[@haben9464]

Can't wait to hear your Korngold at TSO next month!!!