Rachmaninoff's 2nd piano sonata - anyone played it?

[kennedy4]

Hello all.

I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with Rachmaninoff's second piano sonata op. 36? (1931 revision)

I'm thinking about playing it as part of my 30 minute recital in June 2017.
My teacher thinks I am able for it, but I personally am not confident that I can do it between now and June 2017.

I'd like to hear some thoughts on it.
Although, I'd prefer to hear from people who have thoroughly studied the work, any other helpful input is welcome.

Cheers
Brendan

[kennedy4]

Anybody?

[marijn1999]

Hi,

I played the first and second movement before dropping the piece completely as I wasn't satisfied with the initial results. I remember having a REALLY hard time with the polyrhythms in the first movements and also with accuracy in hitting the chords and thirds in the triplet figures.

As for the rest, I'm sorry but I feel like I'm not knowledgeable enough to advice you for this particular piece. Don't practice slow, for me the outcome was horrible. Instead keep practicing hitting the right chords on full speed right from the beginning.

Hope that helps!

BW,
Marijn

[ansgarpiano]

Hey Brendan

I did not do his 2nd sonata, but his 2nd piano concerto. Started around christmas 2015 have two recitals march 2017 so still working on it. I imagine the two are more or less similair as far as construction and difficulty.

1 year might be on the short side, and you have to really burn for it. My 15 months seems to be just right after tons of lessons with my two teachers.

Best of luck let me hear how it goes and if you take the challenge

- And if it is a 30 min recital you will not have time for anything else. I think it even lasts a little longer normally depending on your choices of tempo

- Ansgarpiano