I assume you are talking about the prelude...
I listened to that recording of Rachmaninoff playing it himself and I think I know what you mean..Its not that distinct but I will rel earn that little phrase.. Thank you
Richard
No, it was the Elegie I was talking about. Sadly there's no acoustic recording. However, it's one of the only piano rolls I ever heard that actually seems to capture a sense of music. Despite the mechanical edge, if you know Rachmaninoff's playing well, it's easy to get some sense of how it might have sounded.