Rachmaninoff Prelude in F# minor, Op. 23, No. 1

[Ricordanza]

I'm hoping some of you familiar with Rachmaninoff's Prelude in F sharp minor, Opus 23, number 1 will share some of your expertise with me.  I have several questions regarding this piece.


1)  Any general recommendations about pedaling?  I think mine is too heavy (or too mushy).

2)  Around m. 24 and even before, the L.H. becomes rather animated, and I'm having a hard time holding back the tempo.  At the same time, I feel like I should  incorporate tons of rubato to effectively manage the big rolled chords at the start of mm. 24, 26, and 28.  How much accelerando and ritardando are acceptable?  I find my tempo varying quite a bit here, especially taking into consideration the transition from m. 29 to 30.  My score (Belwin-Mills, 1988; no editor noted) indicates a diminuendo in m. 29, but that is the only editorial marking.  No mention of ritardando until m. 32.  

3)  On beat 3 of m. 27, my score is unclear if both the E# and the A occur simultaneously.  It looks like the A comes after.  Does anyone care to have a look?

3)  At m. 33, how important is it to cross the hands?  Would it be okay to just change that mentally and not cross?  Or, is that defeating one of the primary purposes?  I find it extremely awkard.  Moreso than any previous piece I have encountered.  

On a different note, I was wondering, does the abbreviation 'rit.' stand for ritenuto, ritardando, or both?  Is there any difference between the two?

Thanks for your replies!  I look forward to hearing from you!
--Britt

[Crucifixus]

It seems that none bothers to write something to you, so I will suggest something, hope it's usufull to you, although not sure that you will share the same thoughts.

1. For pedaling, this piece is hard. You need to change almost every eight, so we are talking 8 times a measure. Of course, with a nice voicing and soft - smooth left hand, you could keep the pedal for the full beat, a hard task though, because of the B# and C# for example.

2. The score indicates nothing about changing the tempo. The big change is the big crescendo, that will be enough already, changing the speed, you change the whole idea, and of course, you will be in trouble for the rolling chords later. And that's of course there's no mention for ritenuto, only until later. Rachmaninoff is very clear.

3. I can't believe you had hard time with that. Of course they're at the same time, it's written like this to show you the different lines. It's kind of fanny that you mention something like this.

4. M.33. You can change the hands, but my opinion is that by crossing them, you are keeping the flow and the precision of the sixteens and you don't disturb them by changing the hands. But definately you can change them at that point, so at m.35 you don't have to do anything.!

5. Ritenuto is ment to be a slowing the tempo whithin a short passage and not for too much.
Ritardando or Rallentando is changing the speed within larger sections.


Hope I was some help.
K

[Ricordanza]

Heya K,
Thanks for the reply!!!  I was beginning to wonder if anyone was going to say anything.  I also wondered if everyone thought I had posted into the wrong forum.  If so, I'm sorry.  What can I say?  I'm a newbie.  

I could have asked the same questions in the Student's Forum, I suppose.  I realize that on some level, I will always be a student!!!  I just didn't know the proper etiquette!!  Maybe I should copy and paste my message into that forum??

I'm happy you said hello!  And thank you so much for your comments!!  I went to your website and am very impressed!!!!

I'm so glad to have found this forum to discuss things like this!!

I'm also working on eight other Rachmaninoff Preludes simultaneously.   I would love to discuss them with you, or with anyone else on the board who would like to.  They are:

Op.  23, Nos. 4 (in D), 6 (in E-flat), 8 (A-flat), and 10 (G-flat), and Op. 32. Nos. 1 (C),  5 (G), 10 (B minor), and 12 (G-sharp minor).

Thanks again for your reply.
Britt

[Ricordanza]

I would also very much appreciate it if you or anyone else could recommend a better edition of the Rachmaninoff Preludes.  What is your favorite?  And I wonder where I could get a copy?
In general, I like the Henle Urtext books, but I don't think they have the Rachmaninoff Preludes...  I have checked.  Any suggestions??  Thanks again!!!!

[Crucifixus]

No, I think that this place is fine for your questions.
You mention so many preludes, all are nice, but you don't mention one of my favorites, Op.23 No 7 in C minor, or Op. 23 No 9, both wondeful pieces, I love them.
Not sure what you want to talk about, as fas as I know Boosey & Hawkes was the authentic edition, but you can find a reproduction of this edition (and cheaper in price) in Dover. I haven't see any other edition.

Talk to you again.
K

[Ricordanza]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I'm going to run by the music store later today and look at a new score.

About Op. 23 Nos. 7 and 9:

I have 'looked at' No. 7 and slowly read through it marking accidentals, etc., but it seems rather daunting.  I don't know how I could ever work it up to speed.  I may give it another try in a couple of years.

No. 9, I have listened to many times, but it just sounds impossible.  I have never tried to play it or even really looked at it.  My score doesn't have a single mark in it.  I would love to learn this piece sometime in future.

A different Prelude that I am interested in is:  Prelude in D minor (1917).  I have a recording of it on the same CD as the complete Opuses 23 and 32.  Seems strange that it isn't numbered.  It is amazing.  I need to get the sheet music.