Rach preludes

[introspection]

Hello all.

i have just started on the debussy toccata from pour le piano, and its hard!

i'd like to start a rachmaninoff prelude that is easier so it won't take up as much time, so i can spend more time on the debussy.

can you guys list all the ones that i'd be capable of?

Thank you.

[thalbergmad]

The first ones i learnt were Op23 4 & 5 and Op32 12.

I assume my teacher gave me those coz they were the easiest.

I do not know the Preludes well.

Thal

[introspection]

i just heard op23 7 in c minor on youtube.com and i really liked it.  do you think i could do that

[nanabush]

I know the preludes [really] well, but I do not know the toccata at all    could you compare it to some other common pieces?

[Motrax]

The Debussy toccata is roughly aroudn the level of the Ravel Toccata (although some would disagree ) - it really depends on the pianist.

Anyway, 23-4, 23-6, 23-10, 32-5, 32-12, 32-9, 32-10 (possibly... there's a tough cadenza).

Try some etudes too! 33-3 and 33-7 are great, and not too demanding.

Good luck! 

- M

[nanabush]

lol if the Toccata is on the same level as the Ravel, then there'd be quite a few Rach preludes that you could play 

Op 23 #7 [c minor] you could probably play.
Op 32 #1, 8, 10, 12, 13

I highly recommend his etudes too!!  You could probably play any of the Op 33 except maybe the Eb minor.  And from Op 39, #2 and maybe #7 ?? 

[kitty on the keys]

What!!! Yes I disagree that the Ravel and Debussy Toccatas are on the same leval!The Ravel demands more technical aspects than the Debussy. The endurance alone to play it is much higher.The chord playing, repeateded notes, hand positions, mood changes, are more demanding than the Debussy.The Debussy is great to learn before the Ravel.I see/hear more students play the Debussy than the Ravel. Both Suites are great pieces and we should all play different movments from each. Such a joy this music brings me when I play them.

Kitty

[kriskicksass]

I recommend Opus 32 No. 5 (G Major). It was my second prelude, but I think it's a better intro to Rachmaninoff's style than Op. 23 No. 4 (my first) is. It's relatively simple, but it has its difficulties and a little cadenza to really get your fingers moving. I find the textures of this prelude somewhat transparent (for Rachmaninoff), and its difficulties present themselves to you rather plainly, making this a relatively straight-forward piece to learn....as long as you don't mind polyrhythms (3 against 5 and  4 against 5).

[verywellmister]

the debussy is a bit harder than the mendelssohn variations serieuses i think.