...

Me, the Paganini Rhapsody. And the Second over the Third Concerto. I don't know well the other two.

I definitely went for the 2nd, although I love the 3rd too.

I reluctantly went with the 3rd after much deliberation. but ONLY if it's played really well... Gilels' recording comes to mind

and I was surprised to see that the 4th has the most votes right now!! I didn't think it was that well known/I thought I was the only one in the whole world who had discovered it XD

The fourth is my own favorite. Now if only Sofronitsky had played the concertos. On that note: are there any recordings at all of Sofronitsky playing a concerto or any other work with an orchestra?

For me it's the 4th, although I think the 2nd is undeniably the greatest, and the public will back me up on that. Interesting, the 4th, which is often considered the ugly duckling of the group, is in the lead in this poll. It's very similar structurally to the 2nd, but Rachmaninov tries to be modern in the 4th, and there is the pieces weakness. It's very self conciouss (sp) and aware of itself where the 2nd Concerto just "is". I love the first two movements of the 4th the most (the main theme of the first mvt. is his most beautiful melody imo), the finale is a bit repetitive, and ends awkwardly. But I'd take it for my own, any day!

the 2nd
I am actually scheduled to perform it with the Hardin-Simmons Orchestra March 2 2010

I voted for the 3rd ... I just love that 1st mvt cadenza. Although, I'd be happy to listen to any of them at any time!

which cadenza? I've heard two different ones. for example: Ashkenazy plays one, but Gilels plays the other. I LOVE the cadenza Gilels uses, while I find that the one Ashkenazy chose is a little... idk. dull. it just seems to drag on and on

I like how nobody here likes the 1st concerto

Am I the only one who loves the 1st piano concerto?

I will readily admit that the 2nd and 3rd are infinitely better written pieces, and much more profound and detailed musical works... but the 1st still speaks to me in a special way that I just can't quite express in words. Perhaps it's the opening theme that just grabs me and makes me fall in love with each time I hear it. Or maybe it's just the youthful optimistic vivacity that we see in the early Rach works prior to his depression-period that makes it seem so interesting. This is where we see an un-afraid Rachmaninoff... ready to take off the gloves and do whatever he wants. The whole concerto just speaks brilliance to me, all three movements of it.

... sorry to say I can't quite say anything good about the 4th concerto. >_> The tonalities of the work just kinda annoy me beyond belief. I'm sure it's well written... but the music itself just irks me to no end.

I love the 1st concerto,original version.
Find it much more appealing.

Agreed; I like the first as well. I'm not familiar with the fourth. I voted for the second because it's the most enjoyable to listen to IMHO. But I like the others.

I agree with alf that the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini should have been a voting option. Given the choices, I voted for the Third. But I empathize with Lukecash on the Fourth Concerto. Over the years many have criticized the Fourth as being fragmentary rather than well integrated. Anyone who thinks that need only listen to Rachmaninoff's own rendition to be amazed how he weaves an incredibly rich and unified tapestry with the piece! If I had to sit down and learn one of these concertos, including the Paganini Variations, I'd go with the Second Concerto.

David

I'm also flabbergasted to see that that so few people appreciate the first concerto.
Personnally, it is my favourite one (then comes the second one, closely followed by the rhapsody), especially since I've had the chance to see Nikolaï Luganski perform it with the National Orchestra of Russia last year

I think I know what you mean. My first exposure to the third concerto was Argerich's live CD and my first live experience of it was Gavrilov, where he played a different candence from Argerich's. I look up the score and found there is an "ossia" of this cadence. Yes, that played by Ashkenazy has too many octaves and a bit "dull" as you described, even though it seems to be much more difficult to play than the other.
Anyway I voted for the 3rd, too. I like the second, too and don't know the other two well.