Memorising Concertos

[natalyaturetskii]

Hi,
I am learning Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto at the moment, but I have no idea how I am supposed to memorise it. I don't usually memorise, but because it is a concerto, I really want to. I suppose that this applies to many other long works. Can anyone give me any suggestions?

Thanks
Natalya

[49410enrique]

memorizing a concerto is not too unlike memorizing any other long work. with the caveat that you must know it even better than a solo work since the conductor/ensemble (or piano ii) is counting on you knowing your part and theirs!

so similar approach to how you would go about memorizing a sonata, have a solid 'mental' understanding of the score, be able to visualize it. know the harmonies.  know what the parts sound like, i.e. be able to hear in your head what the orchestra or piano ii has at all times when you play and rest. make special note of entrances and tricky places (where ensemble issues can occur).

drill drill drill. you have to have the mechanics be automatic as you need  to be able to pay attention with your ears to what others are doing and with your eyes to what the conuctor does (of if you sit accross from piano ii, what they do, and look for visual ques, etc.).

you also need to know how to jump from key places to key places without 'losing it' that is if you mess or or they mess up, it keeps going like a run away train. it will not slow down for you to get back on you just need to know what is about to happen in the music and jump right in!

special fingering considerations? be able to recite the fingers you use in the order you use them in particularly difficult passages etc.

the best advice i can give in addition to the above is you take this w a similar approach to how you 'eat an elephant' . one bite at a time. 

good luck!

[49410enrique]

PS