Rachmaninoff First Concerto

[pianoperfmajor]

Hello, I'm new here-

To anyone who has studied Rachmaninoff's first concerto.. 

At the beginning of the cadenza in the first series of decending octaves as well as each subsequent series (beginning the ninth measure of number 26), it's written as the middle note of each octave alternating hands every third octave (I have the Schirmer Edition).  Why not just play octaves all the way down with the right hand while the left plays a single note below that instead of alternating?  I find this way I can play the passage much more cleanly and quickly, and can learn it faster... to be honest I don't even know why it's notated the way it is.

Thanks for any help.

[lisztwasgod]

ahhh, yes, the schirmer edition...a very astute techniquem but i believe ive seen it revised that way before, and if im not mistaken, stephen hough plays it this way

[arensky]

It's a phrasing thing, if you play it with alterante hands it will sound like question/answer. Also, it will distribute the work more equally between the hands, which have already done a lot of work and have a lot more coming up! I think the main reason is phrasing (RH da da da) (LHd a da da)
(RH da da da) (LH da da da) . But if you are more comfortable with octaves in just one hand then do it that way, as long as the phrasing comes out. Hope this helps.

[lisztwasgod]

arensky is right...you can play this set with your teeth, aslong as it sounds toanlly profound and accurately phrased; another thing to keep in mind is another point of arensky...the hands will get tired...trust me ive played it before. the cadenza especially when played well, is supposed to be a workout for both the audience and the pianist (lucky you, i believe the pianist has to do a little more wrk  ) and, i would like to know which version you are playing...the 1913/17 original or the later revised??? because it does matter in the cadenza

[maxy]

Schirmer is the revised edition.  Basically, play it however you want, you don't need to alternate hands.   AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH that cadenza is so SWEEEEEEEETTT!