Suggestion for my first Rachmaninoff piece

[eric9]

Intermediate level here, not currently working with a teacher.  I just finished Mozart's Sonata K 332, Schumann Papillons and am working on Liszt's Liebestraum #3.  I'd really like to work on something by Rachmaninoff other than the beautiful but overplayed Prelude in C# minor.  Any suggestions for something that isn't too difficult and is musically accessible would be greatly appreciated!

[sissco]

Romance! 

[netzow]

My first (and so far only) Rachmaninoff piece was Polichinele Op. 3 No.4 I'm not sure if this is a good one to start with or not but It is fary repetitive and kind of them/variations which helps some. Hope your search and learning goes well.

[Pumkinhead]

Melodie from the Moment musicaux Op. 3.  I think it's the easiest Rach you're going to come by that's simple to grasp and voice well (which is a key difficulty in Rach's output).

[burstroman]

Prelude in e-flat major Op.23#6.

[kony]

any from Op.3 - they are all very nice.

[phil13]

Prelude in e-flat major Op.23#6.

Either that or Prelude in G-flat major, Op.23 No.10.

Phil

[nanabush]

If you've played Schumann Papillons, which I'm assuming are pretty difficult    then you could probably play anything from Op 3... From the preludes:  F# minor, Gb major, even G# minor.  Or if you want, from his etudes, Op 33 #7 in G minor would be an  excellent start too.  (that was my first Rachmaninoff piece)

[ilikepie]

If you've played Schumann Papillons, which I'm assuming are pretty difficult    then you could probably play anything from Op 3... From the preludes:  F# minor, Gb major, even G# minor.  Or if you want, from his etudes, Op 33 #7 in G minor would be an  excellent start too.  (that was my first Rachmaninoff piece)

Don't you mean Op33 no.8 for the g minor Etude? I'm not sure though...
I'd say Prelude op.32 no.5 is a pretty solid choice.

[invictious]

Prelude in C# minor

or the G minor one which tompilk played pretty badly

[ekirth]

I just finished Mozart's Sonata K 332, Schumann Papillons and am working on Liszt's Liebestraum #3.

*g* I'm brushing up Schumann's Papillons for an audition...

As for Rach pieces, perhaps the prelude in g minor (op. 23 n. 5, I think?), or polichinelle (op. 3 n. 4)?--both have been mentioned in the thread already.

[nolan]

Op. 33 No. 7/8 (depending on edition numbering) in g minor is a good piece to start with. Thank you for looking for other Rachmaninoff (than the C# minor prelude)...I don't understand why people take one listen to the showy pieces and declare them the epitome of Rachmaninoff's works. There are so many other wonderful pieces by him that unfortunately get passed over.

[tompilk]

Prelude in C# minor

or the G minor one which tompilk played pretty badly

thanks
Tom

[donjuan]

my first rach piece was Prelude Op. 23 No. 4

[pianowolfi]

Etude op. 39,2

[dnephi]

Best first rachmaninoff piece is to learn him after a lot of other stuff.  It takes a lot of musical difficulty where the technical doesn't begin to compare.

[bflatminor24]

Either that or Prelude in G-flat major, Op.23 No.10.

Phil

I agree, or 23/3, 23/4, or any slower prelude. Avoid 23/2, 23/7, and 23/9 as they are the most difficult.

Max

[verywellmister]

Prelude op.32 no.5 in G
Fantasy Pieces Op.3

[bachfan87]

The first piece I ever played by Rachmaninoff was the Humoreske, op. 10 no. 5. It's intermediate level. Another really good one is Polichinelle, op. 3 no. 4. I would say it's slightly more difficult, but more beautiful. (especially the middle section...gorgeous)

[imbetter]

I'd suggest his C sharp minor prelude. That's the one I started with.

[eric9]

Thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions.  I sat down with Rach's Opus 3 last weekend, read through all the pieces, spent more time on Polichinelle, Melodie, and Elegie.  I found the one I felt most connected with was the Elegie.  Absolutely beautiful, haunting and didn't seem that difficult, however, no one suggested this piece.  Too difficult musically?  It isn't that hard technically.  Any feedback on this piece?-  And again, thanks for all your input.  Eric

[phil13]

Thank you all for your thoughtful suggestions.  I sat down with Rach's Opus 3 last weekend, read through all the pieces, spent more time on Polichinelle, Melodie, and Elegie.  I found the one I felt most connected with was the Elegie.  Absolutely beautiful, haunting and didn't seem that difficult, however, no one suggested this piece.  Too difficult musically?  It isn't that hard technically.  Any feedback on this piece?-  And again, thanks for all your input.  Eric

Uh- several people have suggested Op.3. Go ahead with the Elegy, if that's what you want to do. 

Phil