Islamey and Rach sonata 2

[jehangircama]

to those who have played these works, which one did you find more approachable and why? and what techniques are specifically required for them? then how do they compare to, say, the liszt sonata and the brahms sonatas.

[tompilk]

I have only started playing Islamey - and I gave up after the first page. It took me about two days to get it right, but when I saw what was to come, my heart went faint!!! Rachmaninov Sonata 2, I would say, is still harder though to get the sound that you want. I am no-where near skilled enough to play either but I have followed them both to the music - Islamey is easier, probably because of the repetitions, and it is shorter (which doesn't really make a difference). Both in the same key, and so pretty much the same otherwise. But go for Islamey - it's more playable for family and friends that a half an hour long sonata!!!
Tom Pilkington

[tompilk]

Oh yeah - and I forgot - Islamey starts easier ... ... ...

[jehangircama]

where is the music available? the sheetmusic ones i saw i wasn't sure they were urtext

[jehangircama]

ok i just saw the music. its RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how the hell do you play it?!?!?!? if anyone here has please HELP

[thierry13]

Islamey is easier, probably because of the repetitions, and it is shorter

Repetitions in Islamey ARE the problem. The repetitions are alike, but allways changed in key, or with slight differences. You have to relearn it the complete part, and then you have to choose witch way to play it at the good time, without messing with the other way. If it is for studying purpose, i would go with the rach. If it's for fun, just to play, Islamey all the way!

[thierry13]

ok i just saw the music. its RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how the hell do you play it?!?!?!? if anyone here has please HELP

That said, I'm not sure you're ready to tackle any of these. Try easier things.

[maxy]

ok i just saw the music. its RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! how the hell do you play it?!?!?!? if anyone here has please HELP

The reading of the piece is indeed painful.  Lots of accidentals.  In the end it is quite pianistic.  It is not that hard to memorize.  Most of the Prokofiev/Scriabin sonatas are harder to "learn" intellectually. 

Best tip I can give is: find good fingerings.   Don't try to make it cute by avoiding thumbs on black keys.  Find patterns that can be used all over the piece.

[jehangircama]

That said, I'm not sure you're ready to tackle any of these. Try easier things.

i know that but i like to look at things to do say, 10 years down the line, in advance.
by this i manage to get a sort of feel to the music, and when my technique improves, i can take a shot at it. i'm not working on it right now, i'm only doing the 32 variations of beethoven and some Rach preludes.

[tompilk]

You can get islamey from https://www.sheetmusicarchive.net
I can't remember where I got Rach 2 from - give me ur email and i will send it.
Tom

[jehangircama]

  i got it from there only. don't worry about the Rach2. i ordered it from sheetmusicplus a few days back. should reach in 4-5 weeks. thanks anyway. do you play them?

[musicsdarkangel]

Islamey is a lot less difficult than the Rach sonata no 2, but it's by no means easy.  It is hard.

[jehangircama]

has anyone here recorded either of them?

[thierry13]

Islamey is a lot less difficult than the Rach sonata no 2, but it's by no means easy.  It is hard.

Disagree. This is subjective. e60m5 recorded islamey wich is in the audition room. I think someone allready posted a link of his sonata no.2, but i'm not sure, and if it's right, i'm sure the link is down.

[pita bread]

Rachmaninoff Sonata #2 is also almost three times longer than Islamey.

[classico]

I have played the first half of Islamey (I got lazy.. ), and I can tell you it's definitely not an easy piece to play. But, if you have a good command in double notes and octaves, then you're half successful. The piece itself is very pianistic, and once you get the hang of it, the notes fit quite well. I know some people don't like this piece because they supposedly lack musicality, but I would disagree. It's exactly the opposite case, especially the slow middle part, one of my favourites. Anyway, back to the point, in my opinion Islamey is easier than Rach 2 and other sonotas. So don't be afraid to try it.

[jehangircama]

i had a look, but i am pretty useless in double thirds. in the future though i will pick it up. might read through it a few times to get acquainted with it.

[burstroman]

I will probably receive lots of criticism, but "Islamey", inspite of its difficulty, is not that great with regards to its musical qualities, in my opinion.  Balakirev's Sonata in B-flat minor is a greater work and should be better known.  Both of the Rach Sonatas are great!

[trunks]

Neither the Islamey nor the Sonata No.2, Op.36 has any appeal to me at all. I would be much happier listening to Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit, Tausig's Zigeunerweisen, Liszt's Sonata, . . .