From the Dead

[franken]

Well, I've got a recital coming up here in about 11 days and I need to know the best way to bring a couple pieces from the dead.  I'll be playing Prelude in G minor by Rachmaninoff and Nocturne in B flat minor Op. 9 No. 1 by Chopin, both of which these pieces I had completed at one point in my life not to long ago, but I realize sitting down and playing these again they need some work.  What would be the most efficient way to practice these and bring them back to life?

[danyal]

Go through them really really slowly. Just to kind of let your fingers and brain gradually remember exactly what they have to do. Look at every fine detail, and analyse as best you can. You'll find that you'll remember fairly quickly what's going on in the pieces. If you learnt the pieces sufficiently and properly the 1st time round, it shouldn't be too much of a problem... otherwise... hahaha... double your practising time

[iumonito]

Seriously, do not double your practice time, you don't want to hurt yourself.

Play them just in the order you will at the concert, a little (but not much) under tempo, with full emotional involvement and make a habit of not stopping, even for the most egregious mistake.  Do this again just a bit slower.  (so, play as in the concert two times in a row, under tempo).

Then do something else at the piano, like sight-read or do your exercises.  Then, once your mind doesn't think you are practicing performance anymore, isolate any problematic passages and do your regular clean-up work.

You will play them better than how you had them before, as you know them better.

Break a leg.

[gorbee natcase]

Go over them slowly and take in the tune and get the feel for it especialy the G minor, it fits like a glove

[bernhard]

This may surprise you, but the best way would be to teach them to someone else (since you have so little time offer an intensive five day course several hours a day – use as teaching method, practising with the student so that he imitates you).

Best wishes,
Bernhard.