Rachmaninoff Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini

[ilikepie]

I'm going to start this "concerto" and was wondering if there is anything I should know about it. I have gone through(but not played) the sheet music and I don't think there is anything impossible for me to play(with a lot of practice of course). Any people with personal experience with this piece willing to share a bit of advice with starting it, things to pay special attention to, and general performance tips?

[mikey6]

Lots of rehearsal time with orch if you're doing it with orch.
The last variation is the most uncomfortable thing you'll ever play!
It's a theatrical concerto, plat it out.

[general disarray]

Ensemble is notoriously difficult.  Good luck.  And I mean that sincerely.

[xavierm]

Ensemble is notoriously difficult.  Good luck.  And I mean that sincerely.

For sure. This IS the hardest part with the concerto. (and also matching some of the great performances that are already out there)

[point of grace]

great choice!
enjoy it!
by the way... do you have the sheet music?

[ilikepie]

Thanks for all the coments. I guess ensemble is the main difficulty. Is there anything I should know about the technical difficulty of the piece(excluding the 24th variation... it is rather uncomfortable to play). I've ran through the whole piece(just trying to play it here and there and I don't see any major obstacles as of yet.
Grace, of course I have it I would find it hard to practice otherwise.