How to play this(Rach Op.32 no. 10)

[jbmajor]

Most noticeably, at the Tempo I marking, there is an "m.d." and an "m.s."  What do these stand for, and are they meant to be played?  I know the m.d. has to be two hands, but m.s. looks like it's written for the treble hand; however, it seems impractical to make a big move with either hand to play this octave, since the surrounding chords are already being played with each hand, and the m.s. octave contains a note from each hand. 

So do you just use both hands on this m.s. octave for logic and conveniences' sake, or  play it "as it's written", and use the treble hand? 

Thanks for any help.

[bernhard]

m.d. = right hand
m.s. = left hand

[Motrax]

Bernhard's right, as usual. I'll add that you may want to play those octaves with both hands (top note with the RH, bottom wtih LH), or you acn alternate. Either way, you get a different tone than with playing octaves.

Good luck, and wonderful choice of piece.

[jbmajor]

Bernhard's right, as usual. I'll add that you may want to play those octaves with both hands (top note with the RH, bottom wtih LH), or you acn alternate. Either way, you get a different tone than with playing octaves.

Good luck, and wonderful choice of piece.

I don't quite understand: did you mean to say "a different tone using both hands versus one?"  I was just wondering why it is necessary to play with one hand when the finders from each hand are already over the octave notes needed to be played, no hand jump necessary.  All that is needed is the same pressure to be applied to those two notes, and it seems logical that they would produce the same tone, using one hand or two. 
If it does indeed produce a different tone, then I would have to understand.

[Motrax]

Logical as it may seem to you that playing the same way with one hand or two would produce the same tone, the fact of the matter is that it's nearly impossible to play exactly the same either way. I always get a different sounddepending on whether I use one or two hands. I play all of those melody octaves with both hands - I find it easier to hold the pedal and still bring the melody through all the extra sound this way.

In general, I can achieve a more bell-like sound playing octaves with one hand, and a more pronounced, melodic sound playing octaves with both hands. This might just be me, but it's my reasoning for choice of hand use. Just expiriment with both ways and see which you like more, there's no right or wrong way to go about playing the octaves.

[jbmajor]

Logical as it may seem to you that playing the same way with one hand or two would produce the same tone, the fact of the matter is that it's nearly impossible to play exactly the same either way. I always get a different sounddepending on whether I use one or two hands. I play all of those melody octaves with both hands - I find it easier to hold the pedal and still bring the melody through all the extra sound this way.

In general, I can achieve a more bell-like sound playing octaves with one hand, and a more pronounced, melodic sound playing octaves with both hands. This might just be me, but it's my reasoning for choice of hand use. Just expiriment with both ways and see which you like more, there's no right or wrong way to go about playing the octaves.

Thanks. 

[SteinwayTony]

Yes, "m.d." is the right hand (it stands for mano domini - dominant hand); and "m.s." is the left hand (it stands for mano sinistra - evil hand).  How a hand can be evil escapes me, but that's really what they mean!