I need advice

[penguinlover]

Ok, here I am asking for help.  I am reworking the Prelude in G minor, op.23, No. 5 by Rachmaninoff.  I played it a long time ago, and really can't believe I pulled it off, I sure can't play it well now.  Currently I have two questions concerning the middle section.
    1.  How fast is it suppose to be played?

    2.  In the sixth measure of that section (poco meno  mosso), how are you suppose to play the octave f#s with an a and e natural in the middle?  Can anyone play all four notes at once?  If not, which note do you omit?

Any advice would be helpful.  I have no recording of it, and no teacher to ask.  So I turn to the trusty Piano Forum family.   Thanks.  Penguinlover

[ilikepie]

OMG, are you me? I'm facing the same situation actually. Except for the not having recording and a teacher(although my teacher did not teach me the piece yet)
1. I would follow the tempo markings on your sheet music, if it has any, that is...
Alla marcia - quarter note = 108
Un poco meno mosso -  quarter note = 76
I've tried it, and it seems to be okay.
2. Yes I can play the chord. It is a bit uncomfortable, but I use 1245 as my fingering. I would suggest you will omit the e natural. Though you can test it any omit either the top or the bottom f#(but if you can reach it, I would recommend you play it without omitions)

I would suggest buying a recording, or at least downloading it. It would help you a lot in your playing if you bought and listened to a recording.

[penguinlover]

I am glad that I'm not alone in this.  Yes, I do have the tempo marked 108 for the  alla marcia, but there is no such hint for the second part.  So thanks a bunch.  I will see how far off I am. 

I have tried to play all four notes.  It is possible, but it just sounds sloppy.  I tend to slow that measure down a bit anyway.  I would like to get good enough at it so I wouldn't have to think so much about that chord.  To tell the truth, I wish I could rewrite that chord, but that probably boarders on blasphemy doesn't it? 

Thanks again.

[ilikepie]

I am glad that I'm not alone in this.  Yes, I do have the tempo marked 108 for the  alla marcia, but there is no such hint for the second part.  So thanks a bunch.  I will see how far off I am. 

I have tried to play all four notes.  It is possible, but it just sounds sloppy.  I tend to slow that measure down a bit anyway.  I would like to get good enough at it so I wouldn't have to think so much about that chord.  To tell the truth, I wish I could rewrite that chord, but that probably boarders on blasphemy doesn't it? 

Thanks again.

You could roll it. With the pedal, not a lot of people should notice; hopefully.

[penguinlover]

Thanks.  I will try that.  I may just leave the E natural out.  Only serious piano players would ever notice that.  If they know the music that well, then they should be the one playing it!