Rachmaninoff Preludes

[Irock1ce]

Hey guys, I will be soon starting on a Prelude. However, my teacher and I have decided that I will start on a very difficult one. We are looking at the one in gmin i think op 24? Can you guys post the difficulty order of his preludes? Thanks.

[Motrax]

Each of Rachmaninoff's preludes has some difficulty to offer. The two opus numbers for his preludes are Op. 23 and Op. 32. (And one prelude Op. 3, but that isn't particularly difficult). The G minor Prelude is Op. 23 No. 5. It's certainly challenging, as it requires a very wide variety of skills ranging from clear chord technique to complex voicing. It's also a beautiful piece, but it is overplayed.

If you get a book of complete preludes, that'd probably be a better way of checking what's hard. His etudes also offer quite some challenge. www.sheetmusicarchive.com also has some of these pieces, I believe.

Hope that helps!

-Motrax

[liszmaninopin]

Is it difficult you want?  try op. 23 #9

[Spatula]

Each of Rachmaninoff's preludes has some difficulty to offer. The two opus numbers for his preludes are Op. 23 and Op. 32. (And one prelude Op. 3, but that isn't particularly difficult). The G minor Prelude is Op. 23 No. 5. It's certainly challenging, as it requires a very wide variety of skills ranging from clear chord technique to complex voicing. It's also a beautiful piece, but it is overplayed.

If you get a book of complete preludes, that'd probably be a better way of checking what's hard. His etudes also offer quite some challenge. www.sheetmusicarchive.com also has some of these pieces, I believe.

Hope that helps!

-Motrax

It is overplayed..as I'm doing that and some other stuff for my repretoire, but it's a good piece to start off with Rach material.  You just have to get the discipline to drill in sections like page 1 , then page 2, then the legato section, then back to the exposition.  Once you get the beat, the rest kinda falls into place.  Nevertheless still a good showpiece for a wide range of audiences.  

[Irock1ce]

yeah.. op.23 no.9 is DAMN hard... i think we're going to settle on the Eb Major one. Its very pretty.. it has some difficult parts but its a lot easier than the op.23 no.9. Or i may end up playing Eb Major AND gmin.

[Spatula]

yeah.. op.23 no.9 is DAMN hard... i think we're going to settle on the Eb Major one. Its very pretty.. it has some difficult parts but its a lot easier than the op.23 no.9. Or i may end up playing Eb Major AND gmin.

Op 23 n 9...can't remember what that one sounds like...gotta see my music library! = )