The piano concerto is one of classical music’s most thrilling and expressive forms—a fusion of lyrical beauty, dazzling virtuosity, and dramatic dialogue between soloist and orchestra.
Across centuries, composers have used the concerto form to push the piano to its expressive and technical limits, crafting works that range from tender introspection to blazing heroism. From the stormy depths of Romanticism to the shimmering clarity of the Classical era and the rhythmic energy of the 20th century, these 21 masterpieces represent the very best of the genre—music that continues to captivate audiences and challenge pianists around the world.
We've also pictured and included sound clips from the very best recordings of each concerto. Enjoy!
Best piano concertos of all time
21. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2
A formidable test of stamina and technique, Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto begins with elegance before surging into relentless power. Its massive cadenza challenges even the best pianists, while the finale barrels ahead with unstoppable energy. Yet amid the intensity, Prokofiev balances dazzling virtuosity with striking beauty, creating a concerto as thrilling as it is profound.
20. Khachaturian: Piano Concerto
Aram Khachaturian’s 1936 Piano Concerto stands out for its eerie use of musical saw (or flexatone) in the haunting second movement. Yet there's more than novelty—its vibrant first movement bursts with oriental colour and chromaticism, while the dazzling finale drives soloist and orchestra toward an electrifying, dramatic close. A bold, unique gem in the concerto repertoire.
19. Gershwin: Piano Concerto in F
Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F is a brilliant fusion of classical form and jazz spirit, bursting with rhythmic vitality, lyricism, and orchestral colour. Its sweeping melodies, syncopated energy, and bluesy elegance showcase Gershwin’s unique voice, bridging concert hall and nightclub. Bold, stylish, and irresistibly American, it remains a landmark work in 20th-century music and piano concerto history.
18. Clara Schumann: Piano Concerto
Composed at just 14, Clara Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor is a stunning display of youthful brilliance and emotional depth. Balancing virtuosity with lyrical tenderness, it reveals her distinctive voice—bold, expressive, and ahead of its time. The Andante slow movement, a duet with solo cello, is especially striking, highlighting her poetic sensibility and commanding grasp of musical drama.
17. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1
Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor is a monumental work of symphonic scale and emotional depth. Blending Beethovenian drama with romantic introspection, it challenges the soloist with powerful, expressive writing. The slow movement (below) offers radiant serenity, while the finale surges with intensity. It marks Brahms’ bold entry into orchestral writing—stormy, noble, and deeply human.
16. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21
Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K. 467, is a radiant example of classical elegance and balance. Its famous slow movement (below)—ethereal, lyrical, and dreamlike—has enchanted generations. Framed by buoyant outer movements full of charm and invention, the concerto showcases Mozart’s genius for combining effortless grace with emotional depth, making it one of his most beloved works.
15. Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2
All five Saint-Saëns concertos are absolute gems, full of sparkling writing for both piano and orchestra. No. 2 shades it, however, with its dense, captivating first movement (full of Bachian solemnity) and wild thrill ride of a Finale. The central movement (listen, below) always make us feel as though we are sauntering down a Parisian boulevard in the spring sunshine.
14. Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2
Shostakovich’s two piano concertos burst with playful energy and wit, especially in their vibrant outer movements. But beneath the surface, deeper emotions stir. The Second Concerto stands out for its exquisite central movement—unexpectedly tender and profoundly beautiful—revealing a lyrical side rarely associated with the composer. It’s a captivating blend of brilliance, fun, and emotional depth.
13. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3
Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto is a towering masterpiece of both technical ferocity and emotional depth. Renowned for its immense difficulty, it demands total mastery from the soloist. Yet beyond the virtuosity lies sweeping lyricism, aching introspection, and majestic power—Rachmaninov at his most intense, blending Romantic grandeur with deeply personal expression. A true concerto colossus.
12. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4
Few works showcase Beethoven’s mastery of lyrical subtlety and dramatic depth better than his Fourth Piano Concerto. Its Allegro opener, a delicate dialogue between soloist and orchestra, contrasts with the sweeping grandeur of the second movement, full of serene introspection. The finale’s playful energy highlights Beethoven’s evolving harmonic language. Result: a profound exploration of tension, release, and expressive nuance.
11. Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1
Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is a thrilling combination of technical brilliance and emotional depth. It’s not just about flashy piano playing—Liszt masterfully blends the soloist with the orchestra, creating a seamless, dramatic conversation. With its sweeping melodies, powerful rhythms, and exciting energy, Liszt 1 captivates both musicians and listeners with its inventiveness and beauty.
- How Liszt invented the piano recital and became a 19th-century pin-up
- Listen to this masterful version from Martha Argerich, with Claudio Abbado conducting, below
10. Schumann: Piano Concerto
Schumann’s Piano Concerto blends Romantic drama with infectious melodies, reminiscent of Grieg’s later work, with which it's often paired on disc. It opens with dramatic intensity, building momentum akin to his First Symphony. The finale bursts with joyful, unrestrained energy, capturing the essence of the Romantic spirit with Schumann’s signature brilliance.
9. Grieg: Piano Concerto
Grieg is well known as an exceptional melodist, a spinner of some beguiling and often captivatingly atmospheric tunes, and nowhere is this more in evidence than in his only piano concerto.
This concerto probably rivals Tchaikovsky's for the most dramatic opening in the piano concerto literature. After that, there's a wonderful continuum of beguiling melodies and absorbing ambiences.
This is another piano concerto blessed with an achingly tender slow movement. That's followed by a lively Rondo finale which also contains a beautiful central theme.
8. Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3
Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is an absolute joy. Full of zest, wit, and energy, it grabs you from the start and never lets go. The sparkling, playful outer movements are sheer fun, while the lyrical second movement (below) is heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s a perfect mix of virtuosity and emotion—one of those pieces that’s impossible not to love.
7. Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1
Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 is pure magic. The opening movement’s sweeping melodies feel like a perfect conversation between the piano and orchestra, while the second movement’s lyrical beauty tugs at your heartstrings. The finale bursts with energy, showcasing Chopin’s dazzling virtuosity. Passionate, elegant, and absolutely thrilling.
6. Ravel: Piano Concerto
A whip crack. Jazz-infused melodies. A soundworld taking inspiration from Basque and Spanish music. What’s not to enjoy? Ravel’s concerto manages to achieve real emotional depth while also giving us the perfect party piece.
After the first movement, which is full of fire and fun, the second movement takes a step back and explores a much more serene landscape. Then, the Finale movement travelling through a series of unexpected key signatures to revisit the initial feisty atmosphere. It’s got everything you could wish for in a piano concerto.
5. Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2
Written 22 years after the stormy, youthful first, Brahms 2 exudes a mature warmth and melancholy. The beautiful slow movement (below) features a prominent cello, adding depth, while the second movement showcases a gripping duel between piano and orchestra. The concerto balances drama and introspection, embodying Brahms' characteristic autumnal feel.
4. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1
Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto (he later wrote a second, plus a single movement of a third) is one of the best-loved in the repertoire. In particular, it's a concert favourite thanks to its abundance of 'big tunes'.
The first two minutes or so set out the concerto's stall, with a dramatic beginning - a short, declamatory horn theme greeted with sharp, penetrating orchestral chords. The piano then takes up the theme, spinning it into a wildly Romantic and swooning melody.
Did you know: the first movement's minor key theme is a Ukrainian folk melody. Tchaikovsky heard the melody being performed by blind Ukrainian musicians at a market in Kamianka, near Kyiv.
3. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5
Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto is a majestic, energetic masterpiece, full of confidence and triumph. Its three movements range from transcendence to joy, particularly in the magical Adagio, a hymn-like passage that transports listeners. Composed in 1811, its uplifting, heroic spirit solidifies its place among the greatest piano concertos.
2. Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2
Is there a more romantic concerto than Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto? Okay, the work is now imbued with the heady emotion of David Lean’s classic film Brief Encounter (1945) and it’s easy to see why it was chosen as the soundtrack.
It’s a musical rollercoaster of contemplation and elation – which it ably added to what might have otherwise been a bit of a staid drama. Written while Rachmaninov was coming through a deep depression, the music does appear to render, in vivid hues, the complexities of human emotion – from the darkness of self-doubt to the intoxicating release that comes when the light is finally allowed in.
Best piano concerto of all time: and the winner is...
1. Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 20
Up until number 20, Mozart's piano concertos are generally bright, quicksilver pieces. Here, though, a captivating element of darkness enters this most wonderful body of work.
Almost like a proto-Romantic concerto (its equally fine successor number 24 is even more so), Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 has a distinctly ominous opening. There's a brooding tension here that foreshadows some of the darkness of Mozart's great opera Don Giovanni, which was to follow some two years after.
Then, of course, there's that wonderfully frenetic final movement. Right from its beginning - a dramatic up-surging arpeggio known as a 'Mannheim rocket' - this movement constantly captivates, managing a fine balance of tension and lightness.
Truth be told, any one from five or six of Mozart's essays in the genre could have taken their place in our list of greatest piano concertos. What's your favourite Mozart Piano Concerto?
