A problematic chord in Chopin's Prelude 15

[klik11]

Hello, how am I supposed to play the highlighted chord in here


It's huge!

[bachbrahmsschubert]

It's huge!

That's what she said.

Either play the lower f that's apart of the chord with the right hand, so you are playing an octave with the right hand  and Db - Cb with the left hand(what I do), or simply roll the chord.

Best wishes,

[klik11]

Wow, your first suggestion sounds good! Gonna do it that way.

Cheers!

[bachbrahmsschubert]

But don't forget that the top note is the melody! You definitely don't want to bang out an octave, it would sound a little strange.

Best wishes,

[gerryjay]

I would go with the second suggestion (rolling the chord) by all means. If you play the f with your right hand, you will use the thumb...in an octave...in a weak part of the bar...with stress on the melody...well, I think there is very little chance of not banging it and crashing the passage.

A smooth rolled chord is nice, and let you free to sing that top note.

Best regards,
Jay.

[klik11]

I see...
Just to be clear, "rolling the chord" means to hit the bass note with the left hand while pushing the pedal and then quickly moving to the other notes, right?

[ionian_tinnear]

Typically we do roll the lh chord if you're hands aren't big enough to reach the 10th, but it is fine to play the octave with the rh.

  If you're really worried about the octave method interfering with the melody you may want to consider working on playing a melody and other notes at the same time in one hand, as we have to be able to do that, and often!

[gerryjay]

I see...
Just to be clear, "rolling the chord" means to hit the bass note with the left hand while pushing the pedal and then quickly moving to the other notes, right?

Yeap. Push the pedal and play the chord rightwards.

[sucom]

I don't roll this chord because I see no reason to do so.  It's true that the right hand thumb must take the lower F but this is not a reason to avoid it.  Leaning into the top note is something that should be practised anyway, allowing the note to sing above the harmonies played below. 

[pianoplayjl]

I reckon you should chop off the top note in the left hand.