Rachmaninov Prelude Op.23, No.10 in G Flat Major from my album "Classical Soul"

[matterintospirit]

"Classical Soul" Cd
https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/halfreedman

[rachfan]

Hi matter,

I play a few things differently in No. 10, but I give you huge credit for playing the last section of the piece still in tempo, as difficult as it may be with the big rolls.  So many pianists take that section at a more leisurely pace to bring out more nuances.  But Rachmaninoff didn't write it that way!  I'm glad you stayed true to the score.  Very fine playing.

David

[matterintospirit]

Hi David,
   I'm glad you enjoyed it. To me, the last section relieves some of the tension and pathos of the music before it. It's like when you wind something up taught and then it begins to unwind. I feel "release' in the concluding section. This is one of my favorite preludes, I love it! I am so struck by the beauty of the ending -- it' s such an ingenious departure.

[rachfan]

Hi matter,

I very much agree with you.  Incidently, Rachmaninoff never divulged his programs for these preludes except for one.  He was once in a discussion with Moisewisch whose playing he admired.  The subject of Prelude 32, 10 in B minor came up.  Moisewisch surmised it was "the return", that is, Rachmaninoff wishing he could return to Russia.  Rachmaninoff affirmed that was indeed the case.  As for the rest, we can only guess.  Regarding this Prelude 23/10 in G flat, I've always thought of it as a very sad parting of two lovers.  Perhaps a passionate relationship has come apart.  Or maybe the scene is a fiancee seeing her betrothed going off to war.  Or similar.  Where most of the piece is built on the sigh motif, I think of this prelude as a tearful goodbye.  This is what leads up to the romantic surge in the last part which brings it all to resolution as tension unwinds.

David

[point of grace]

"Classical Soul" Cd
https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/halfreedman

very sticked to the real music