Rachmaninoff Prelude Op 32 No 5

[amee]

I'm starting to learn this piece and am really stuck on bars 8-10, in the LH.  Could someone help me out?  I can't seem to be able to play all the notes the LH needs - should I take the top B with the RH or what?

Thanks.

[rachfan]

Hi Amee,

No, there is no redistribution of music between the hands there in measures 8-10.  Playing the LH as intended does require a secure fingering though.  In measure 8 for the LH double notes, starting on on the D-F# use 3 and 2, on C-E, use 4 and 2.  At the 2nd group of 16ths, on the C-E, use 3 and 2.  Moving on to the 3rd group of 16ths, on the B-D it's 3 and 2.  And at the 4th group of 16ths, use 3 and 2 on the A-C, there.   In measure 9 on that 2nd 16th after the G clef there, use a 2 to position your hand for the figuration that follows.  In that same measure (although you're concerned with the LH) be sure to put a 5 on the F# in the RH triplet in the 4th beat in order to set up a logical fingering as you execute the melodic line with your right arm crossed over the left.

I hope this will help you.