Piano Forum

Piano Board => Repertoire => Topic started by: maddenleaman on November 23, 2010, 12:19:13 AM

Title: Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2
Post by: maddenleaman on November 23, 2010, 12:19:13 AM

I'm confused about the grouping of the arpeggios in the beginning of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2.  Should they be grouped as they appear in the score (triplets, group of five, group of four, group of five), or should they be grouped (group of eight, group of nine)?  Any help would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2
Post by: riskarb on November 23, 2010, 04:05:02 AM

I would LOVE to play them solid (like bells tolling) but my hands are too small.

Title: Re: Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2
Post by: jlh on November 23, 2010, 06:38:11 AM

Quote from: maddenleaman on November 23, 2010, 12:19:13 AM

I'm confused about the grouping of the arpeggios in the beginning of Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2.  Should they be grouped as they appear in the score (triplets, group of five, group of four, group of five), or should they be grouped (group of eight, group of nine)?  Any help would be appreciated.

The important thing to think about is not how to group the notes in smaller sets, but to make them fit within the larger beats.  You'll notice there is an accent on each half-note pulse, so in answer to your question, they should be grouped exactly how they look --group of 8, group of 9, etc.  Hope this helps!

Best,
Josh

Title: Re: Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2
Post by: maddenleaman on November 23, 2010, 07:19:21 PM

Thanks so much.  I thought that made more sense. 

-Madden

Title: Re: Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 2
Post by: orangesodaking on November 26, 2010, 11:02:03 PM

Quote from: riskarb on November 23, 2010, 04:05:02 AM

I would LOVE to play them solid (like bells tolling) but my hands are too small.

I think he meant the arpeggios after the intro, not the introductory chords. I agree with you, roll if you need to! I think jlh is right.