Ravel Toccata How is it possible

[counterpoint]

It's about the Toccata from Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin

I wonder, how it is possible to play the chords of the right hand in bars 5 - 8

Perhaps it's a problem with my hand: I cant grab the chords with fingers 2,3,4,5 well. Letting out the G and the A would help much, but I don't think, it's allowed here.

Am I alone with this problem, or are there others, who have this problem too?

[nanabush]

I had the exact same problem when I tried this a while ago, and after realizing that that is not the most difficult part in the piece, I gave up....  Just take it suuuuupppper slow, or play an etude that practices this technique...

[counterpoint]

... after realizing that that is not the most difficult part in the piece...

Oh, I began playing/studying this Toccata a lot of years ago, and in general, it works quite well. The problem which makes me most headache (and handache too!) are these chords, which doesn't fit my hand at all. 

Okay, I will try to exercise these chords in slow tempo, hopefully it will help... 

[mike_lang]

Oh, I began playing/studying this Toccata a lot of years ago, and in general, it works quite well. The problem which makes me most headache (and handache too!) are these chords, which doesn't fit my hand at all. 

Okay, I will try to exercise these chords in slow tempo, hopefully it will help... 

Yes, I agree that you should practice the chords slowly, as your hand will begin to get used to the odd positions after some time.

Best,
Michael

[kitty on the keys]

I have 2 editions of the Tomb". I use the alfred edition which offers some great suggestions for dividing it  between the hand. I showed this to my coach, a former Adel Marcus student, and he agreed with what was offered as solutions to many hand position problems.

Kitty