I am currently polishing the Mozart 3rd piano sonata, beginning the first Beethoven piano sonata and a couple of the simpler Chopin etudes. My teacher has suggested I chose a new piece and has agreed that I might now learn a piece by Rachmaninoff. For a woman, I have an unusually large hand and can comfortably play octaves.
Thanks!
1) A great piece to play is the Prelude Op. 32, No. 12. It is a very popular encore and the notes are easy.
2) Please listen to Horowitz' regular recording, as well as his live Moscow rendering.
3) Also, remember to focus on the accentuation of the very top note, and also the left hand melodic line.
4) Do not play the melody in a Chopinesque fashion. It is Russian romantic music. There is a difference.
Good luck to you, and if you have any questions (I have played the piece for 40 years), please do not hesitate to contact me by PM
I am sure, that with your true heart, it will become one of the great pieces in your repertoire. This is true especially when it comes to those people who say you can't really play!