Rachmaninov Prelude Op. 23 No. 5

[twinkletoesfaery]

Been learning this piece for donkey's now.  I can play the tunes and even memorize some bits but I can never play it like I hear others play it.  Some bits I can play fast but there are various trouble spots.  Major fingering problem perhaps since I can't play the left hand of the second theme.

(the highlighted bits in the picture)



Some advice would be muchly appreciated.

Or perhaps this piece is out of my reach *pout* I'm a grade 2 ex-piano student who's been playing without a teacher.  I practice loads but only songs.  Never tried playing the likes of Hanon and other dry-ish stuff.  Perhaps I should...

xx

[m1469]

Major fingering problem perhaps since I can't play the left hand of the second theme.

Well, here is the best I came up with : 

(1-5) 21 5321235 12521 5321235 12521... for the entire line, including chord change 

*the spaces indicate cross-overs/change of hand position

What I like about this choice is that it is incredibley consistent and easy to control in "pp" mode as the dynamics are marked.  There is very little movement in terms of hand position and it utilizes the entire span of the hand quite comfortably.  Because there is very little movement in terms of hand position, you can easily attain an even sound to each note within the sextuplets.

The down falls are that it is slightly awkward coming out of the octaves to 2-1 in the first 3 notes, however this is consistent fingering for further down the way when you return to these notesn (and one of my main goals in picking fingering is consistency).  Also, there is a need to have good aim with your pinky, however, this can be overcome by feeling the entire approaching chord in your hand (and thinking in terms of "hand placement", not just finger placement) instead of thinking about only pinky as a detached element.


I hope this helps,

m1469

[Barbosa-piano]

 He he, one of my favorite pieces again... I am "re-learning" it, after a long time without playing it. Fingerings for the Preludes are hard to find.
Fortunately, I found my only edition with fingerings (out of 3) which is of great help, a very good fingering.

Here it goes: (Try to imagine the position of the notes on the sheet, I will try to give you a view of the piece, I hope it helps )
* Opening Octave                                                                       1
                     2                                      2                              2      2
                 1     1                                1    1                        3            3
             2             2                         2         2                   5                  1
          4                   4                   4               4                                     
       1                         1            1                     1          1                         2 
    2                                2     2                          2     2                              4
1*                                      5                                 5                                     5
5
Ped ------------------------------------------------* Ped -----------------------------*
     
                                         "D major "                           "C minor"
Study this as Chopin's Revolutionary Etude, very carefully, though not as fast (way slower). If you play it clearly, you can realise that this left hand passage is a melody itself. Try to imagine this part as if it was being played by an orchestra, as a symphony (basing it on Rachmaninoff's style of orchestration). The low arpeggios being played mainly by two harps, whilst the right hand part is being played by strings, and the inner notes by wind instruments (Oboe, or something of kind). This is a great lyrical section, once you master it, it will come out easily, at any time.

Mario Barbosa 

[twinkletoesfaery]

Thank you muchly Mario and m1469.  I will try the fingering once I get offline.  Thanks again for being very helpful.  I can't wait to play this beautiful piece.  Pity the hardest part happens to be the most beautiful.  I do like the first theme too, that attracted me to the piece first.