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Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5

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Topic: Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5 (Read 1762 times)

elva04

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Newbie
Posts: 3

Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5

on: May 13, 2021, 06:44:29 PM

Hi!
I'm learning this piece at the moment and I have been trying to work out the pedalling for bar 24.
Literally every pianist that I listen to seems to play pedal there but anytime that I try it just sounds muddy!!

Any thoughts would be very welcome.
Thank you

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anacrusis

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Posts: 814

Re: Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5

Reply #1 on: May 13, 2021, 08:49:36 PM

It's the bar where you need to keep a set of whole note octaves in the pedal while playing a bunch of 16th note chords, right? The trick is to press down the pedal enough to keep the resonance of the octaves going throughout the bar, and not more. That might mean pressing it down 1/2 of the way, or even 1/4 of the way. You may even change the pedal slightly by lifting it not the entire way up, to get rid of some of the dirt while keeping the resonance. You might have to experiment a bit and use your ears a lot to find a solution that works. Does this make sense?

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elva04

PS Silver Member
Newbie
Posts: 3

Re: Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5

Reply #2 on: May 14, 2021, 08:12:41 AM

Ah! Brilliant! I've got it.

Thank you so much.
I'd spent ages trying to work this one out.

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pianistavt

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Posts: 379

Re: Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5

Reply #3 on: June 28, 2024, 12:40:26 PM

You apply the sostenuto (middle pedal) (with left foot) after playing the d's, and then can flutter the sustain (right pedal) so the D / Bb chords don't get too mushy...

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lelle

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Posts: 2506

Re: Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5

Reply #4 on: July 02, 2024, 03:19:57 PM

Quote from: pianistavt on June 28, 2024, 12:40:26 PM

You apply the sostenuto (middle pedal) (with left foot) after playing the d's, and then can flutter the sustain (right pedal) so the D / Bb chords don't get too mushy...

Good suggestion, but not all pianos have a sostenuto pedal!

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Topic: Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5 (Read 1762 times)

Piano Street Magazine:The Complete Piano Works of 16 Composers

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The Complete Piano Works of 16 Composers