Favorite Rachmaninov Prelude

[arensky]

Mine is the A major Op.32 #9. Restless and ambiguous it searches for something beautiful yet indefinable and elusive. Don't know if it finds what it's looking for but at the end it's content with what is, regardless. It also reminds me of the ocean, where I have spent many happy months.

What a simple yet beautiful chord progression and melody and amazing how he creates a structure from minimal materials. An underrated mimiature masterpiece, imo.

[verywellmister]

my fav is the fast c minor prelude op.23 no.7.  very effective and plenty of hand crossing, which is fun to do.  it's very somber, except for one spot, which reminds me of the sun peeking through the clouds.  i hope i'll be able to pull it off in a couple weeks after a  summer of learning it.

[phil13]

Op.23 No.7 in my favorite, too. I'm learning it right now.

32-12 and 23-4 run a close second and third.

Phil

[thierry13]

You omitted op.23 no.9 !!

[phil13]

Wow, I missed that. It IS missing.

Phil

[pies]

Op. 3 No. 2 because it's underplayed.

[arensky]

You omitted op.23 no.9 !!

Oops 

It is at the bottom of the list now, but not in terms of difficulty; it's probably the hardest one. 

[phil13]

Op. 3 No. 2 because it's underplayed.

ummm.....no.

Phil

[nolan]

Op. 3 No. 2 because it's underplayed.

...no comment...

Op. 32 No. 13 is my absolute favorite. The opening is so tranquil and hopeful. Then it turns into a bubbling spring before building up like a wave. The ending is just transcendent...

Op.32 No. 10 comes in at a close second.

[nanabush]

E minor, quite depressing, then the craaazy climax!  B minor, G major and E major come close in second.

[thorn]

Op 23/4 in D. It is one of the most beautiful pieces I've ever heard.

[avetma]

Op23 no2 Bb major - I just adore that piece

[pita bread]

Op. 23/7
Op. 23/9
Op. 32/10 - such vast waves of emotion

[brewtality]

B minor.

[pianowolfi]

D^b major op. 32 no. 13. When I listen to this I have a feeling like everything is good now, everything comes to a good end.

[_____]

32/12 is the greatest work in Rachmaninoff's entire output, IMO.

[rohansahai]

Op. 23-4, and 32-10...ironically D major and B minor!

[jre58591]

32/12 is the greatest work in Rachmaninoff's entire output, IMO.

no way man. youre missing a TON of better works.

[phil13]

What's yours, then, Jre?


Phil

[mephisto]

23.2 is awesome.

[jre58591]

What's yours, then, Jre?

my favorite preludes are 23-7 and 32-13. my favorite rach work is still yet to be determined. still, i dont think the preludes can be considered rach's best works. there are just too many things he wrote that are better imo, like the etudes-tableau and the piano concertos, to name a few.

[mephisto]

The 2nd sonata and the Corelli variations pluss the etudes tableaux are the greatest solo Rachmnaninov pieces that I have yet heard.

[nanabush]

AAh the etudes are amazing!! No one ever talks about them as much as the Chopin etudes/liszt etudes are mentioned here!!

[bflatminor24]

Oops 

It is at the bottom of the list now, but not in terms of difficulty; it's probably the hardest one. 

It IS the hardest one. The best way I can put it, it's like Feux Follets in E flat minor. Good luck with awkward double-notes with your thumb and fourth finger. Ouch.

Oh yeah, I love 23/2 and 23/7 a lot...bomb-a$s pieces.

~Max~

[ganymed]

my favorite rach prelude is the op 23. no 5  in g minor.  its so amazing especially the middle part !!

[ihatepop]

Definately, definately, the prelude Op.3 No.2! Its wonderous.

ihatepop

[nolan]

I was going to comment on how there is such a variety of favorites everyone has, but "the big ones" are pulling ahead.

[mikey6]

I'd say the bmin (it was Rach's and moiseiwitsch's favourite - everyone's heard the story he used to say) and da gmin.  maybe the Db as well.  I cannot stand the Bb after playing it so many times, I never want to hear another Bb chord in my life!

[thierry13]

Op. 3 No. 2 because it's underplayed.

It is HELLA overplayed. In fact, I'd put this has the most overplayed piece composed by Rachmaninoff, because it is allmost as amazing as his other works, and not so hard.

[houseofblackleaves]

op.32 no.12 was Richter's favorite encore. 

[mikey6]

It is HELLA overplayed. In fact, I'd put this has the most overplayed piece composed by Rachmaninoff, because it is allmost as amazing as his other works, and not so hard.

I would think that he was making a joke
one could say the moonlight sonata  is underplayed - get the drift?

[thierry13]

I would think that he was making a joke
one could say the moonlight sonata  is underplayed - get the drift?

Well ... he COULD have been serious. Because it is not recorded THAT much ... it's just hella played by zealous begginers.

[letters]

Op23 no2 Bb major - I just adore that piece

its my favourite too! so triumphant.... but flippin difficult to play

[arensky]

A little over two weeks now; a lot of these results I expected but but I expected that the Eb major, G major, g minor and g# minor preludes would have placed better in this poll.... thoughts?

[zheer]

   Hmmmm i voted for the B major prelude, that one is so suny.