Rachmaninoff Corelli Variaz. (Op.42)

[megadodd]

Hey all, I'm considering starting to work through the Corelli Variaz by Rachmaninoff.
I would really like some pointers on how to approach such a substantial work, with so much varying difficulties, and they don't look easy by no means.

I have never played a set of variations, are there anything particular that I need to know about?
My intentions is to go through this piece as well as I possibly can, so that when I'm ready to perform it, it will be the best I've ever done. Even though it may take 2 years.

Please pianostreet, anyone who has played this, or any set of variations~ please provide your information for me here, even if it might be standard to know about.

Thank you.

[j_menz]

It's a beautiful piece. Bloody difficult, though.

If you haven't played any variations before, I'd suggest you at least read through a few sets first. Any by Mozart, the Goldberg by Bach, some by Beethoven (not the Diabelli - they're not suitable for just reading through). They should give you a bit of background. No need to bring them up to perfection, just get the general hang of them.

[christovr]

Hi - I played this at third year university level - many moons ago.  I never really liked the work - even back then - I prefer the Chopin variations.
I recall my lecturer placing a lot of emphasis on body mechanics.  In the final variations for instance there are big leaps across the keaboard and I had to learn to replace my center of gravity instantaneously.  Also carefully calculated breathing in Rachmaninov seems to me to be a big aid in 'making the music work'; make sure you plan the starts and ending of phrases so as to have set moments in the music to recover yourself between technically challenging passages.  And make sure always to execute dotted rhythms in compound time signatures acurately.
I recall my lecturer playing the theme on a second piano simulaneously throughout each variation (with slight adaptations so as to fit harmonically) to help me develop a sense of the bigger formal structures.  An easy mistake in Rachmaninov is to loose sight of this among all the elaborate smaller details.
Just of the top of my head...

[pianovlad1996]

Rachmaninoff's Variations Op.22 and Op.42 are not one of his most difficult works but definitely not easy. All you need to know about sets of variations are that the repetitions should be played in a different nuance because it is quite boring to hear a 20 minute piece whole of repetitions without any changes. And pay attention at the theme because it should be clear in the phrase and the little motifs the same. The theme can appear in many forms including the ''mirror'' effect that is sometimes difficult to identify. Have fun with this piece and hope you will succeed.

[bachmaninoff]

I've also just started learning this piece. The beginning variations are VERY deceptive. They SOUND easy, but are an absolute hell to practice. Rachmaninoff wrote so many fine details that one has to account for when practicing. Variation II is a b*tch because of the simultaneous stacatto melodic line and the slurred secondary lines. Trying to make a balance between the two phrases is an absolute nightmare. But I suppose once you've learned the music properly (especially in most cases with Rachmaninoff), the notes lie under the fingers very well. That is the consolation for us pianists who strive so hard to get through his monstrous works. Best of luck to you and to me on learning this piece!