How quiet is quiet enough? Middle notes in same voice... (Rach 3/2, Pathetique)

[mosis]

We've all encountered those sections in music where we have one melody line, but only the first note is suppposed to be exceptionally accented while the rest is supposed to be quiet, a la the Agitato section of Rachmaninoff's C# minor prelude, and the one section in Pathetique first movement.

How quiet is quiet enough? In order for it to be good, does it have to be silent, as if it's a murmur? Or can it be audible? What do they look for at exams and competitions?

[jlh]

The problem with those sections is that you're playing both the melody AND the accompanyment in one hand, so you must treat it as seperate entities.  It's right when the balance is the same as it would be if you played them seperately.  It should be audible -- every note, in fact -- but it should not distract from the melody in any way.  In short, be sure and voice the melody and you're mostly there.