Arpeggios in Debussy Reflets dans l'eau

[haydnseeker]

I've been working on this piece recently but some of the fast arpeggios are defeating me, especially bars 24-29 and 57.

What is a good technique for shifting the hand from one octave to the next, and how can it best be practised?   I've had conflicting advice from different teachers:

(a) Move the hand in a block to the new octave without changing the relative finger positions - practise shifting the hand and hitting a full chord in the new position.

(b) Bunch the fingers as they play - e.g. in 57 RH ascending, after 1 has played G move it so it's above B flat when 2 plays, then 1 & 2 are above E flat when 4 plays - then shoot 1 to the next G and open the hand out again to play in the new octave.

Advice from any teacher who's had a student master this piece would be especially helpful.

Maybe I ought to do some general work on arpeggios before going back to the piece.  When I first studied the piano (a long time ago now) I only learnt the "thumb-under" method which clearly is inadequate here.  Suggestions please!

Beethoven Sonata Op. 31/2
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Debussy Images I (all 3)
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