Rachmaninoff - Prelude in D major, Op 23 no.4

[wzkit]

Recorded last year. Comments are welcome.

[orlandopiano]

Recorded last year. Comments are welcome.

This was one of my senior recital pieces, and it will always be one of my alltime favorite piano pieces in the entire repertoire. You play it very beautifully. Personally, I wouldn't decrescendo at m.52 (despite what the score says lol). I love building up those lush chords into the return of the main theme.  And at that point, I'd play it just a little faster.

Really really nice though.

[lava]

Hi,

I just listened and enjoyed every second. Nice romantic touch!

Think this one will be on my to-do-list.

[wzkit]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. This is one of my favourite pieces and has great sentimental value for me, having been the first piece I performed in public 8 years ago. The interpretation has evolved quite a bit since then, with a general slowing down of the tempo, more "savouring" of the notes, more rubato etc. Somehow I find that although this piece is lyrical and slow, there's quite a bit of smoldering intensity and underlying tension. Personally, my favourite interpretations of this music are by Richter, Vladimir Sofronitzky and Howard Shelley. What are your favourite versions?

[wzkit]

This was one of my senior recital pieces, and it will always be one of my alltime favorite piano pieces in the entire repertoire. You play it very beautifully. Personally, I wouldn't decrescendo at m.52 (despite what the score says lol). I love building up those lush chords into the return of the main theme.  And at that point, I'd play it just a little faster.

Really really nice though.

Would you happen to have a recording of this piece? I would love to listen to your interpretation after listening to your Chopin impromptu and Nocturne. I think music like this is right up your alley! Good to get some fresh ideas here.

 

[wzkit]

An alternate recording of this piece, with some minor interpretative differences. Personally, I don't like this version as much. Comments are welcome

[allthumbs]

Recorded last year. Comments are welcome.

I just listened to this recording that you posted above. Very well played, I really loved listening to your interpretation of this work. Brilliant!

Are you a professional by any chance?

My now other favaroite recording of this piece is by British pianist Peter Donohoe. If you e-mail me, I'll send you the mp3.

My only suggestion about your recording (and it's a minor thing IMO) would be that the first chord in bar 47 was a little weak. (I know its marked p but it sounded ppp).   

I now have some more ideas of things to work on interpretation wise. Thanks for sharing your recording.

Cheers

allthumbs


EDIT - I also listened to your alternate recording. I agree that the one in your original post is a little better. However, the chord I mentioned sounds better in the second recording that I just heard.

[wzkit]

I just listened to this recording that you posted above. Very well played, I really loved listening to your interpretation of this work. Brilliant!

Are you a professional by any chance?

My now other favaroite recording of this piece is by British pianist Peter Donohoe. If you e-mail me, I'll send you the mp3.

My only suggestion about your recording (and it's a minor thing IMO) would be that the first chord in bar 47 was a little weak. (I know its marked p but it sounded ppp).   

I now have some more ideas of things to work on interpretation wise. Thanks for sharing your recording.

Cheers

allthumbs


EDIT - I also listened to your alternate recording. I agree that the one in your original post is a little better. However, the chord I mentioned sounds better in the second recording that I just heard.

Thank you for your kind compliments. I'm not a professional pianist, but a professional economist . You can call me a serious amateur pianist, however. I doubt I would be able to stick to this kind of repertoire if I was a professional pianist. Would probably have to do more brilliant, technically demanding stuff (though this is difficult in its own way).

As for the chord in question, I see your point. There are times when I do not follow the directions in the score, for the purpose of creating an effect. In this case, after the crescendo in the preceding bars, I wanted to give a super subito piano, before the build up to the final climax. This helps to sustain the underlying dramatic tension in the music. Of course, playing it just as written is fine as well. Its all a matter of taste at the end of the day.

Do post your recording of this work when you're ready! Its great to exchange ideas.