S. Rachmaninoff, Études-Tableaux Op. 33 No. 3 in C minor

[chaireas]

This is a slow piece. I know these are less popular in a forum, but it's one of my favourites...

[skari123]

This is a slow piece. I know these are less popular in a forum, but it's one of my favourites...

Thanks for this contribution, I feel like this piece is very underrated (among other Rachmaninoff pieces). Overall the pulse in the music is good, but I feel like you play the piece a tad bit to fast for my taste. It seems to me that you only play in one tempo throughout the piece, but in the score there are a few tempo changes, so maybe start checking out the tempos in various sections. When playing the grace note scale runs in the beginning, try to land more on the ''beat''. You can add some rubato later on, but the piece needs to have a pulse. Please note that I'm talking about pulse, not ''staying in tempo'' so to speak, cause the pulse can be hurried or slowed down according to the mood of the piece. The arpeggiated chords are nicely executed but they could be slightly faster so that you have time to voice the top line. Try also thinking more about the polyphony in this etude. Simply voicing the chords and melodies right can do a lot for the overall impression the music makes on us. To summarise: take a look at the tempo changes, think about the polyphony and take a look at the grace note runs in the beginning. Fun fact, the climax in this etude is the same as in his 4th piano concerto, 2nd movement
take a look at it

.  (the climax starts at 14:30)
Good luck with this piece, it is wonderful !

[chaireas]

Many thanks for your comments and suggestions. I have put this piece "back on the shelf" because I am satisfied with the interpretation for now. But I will surely return to it and explore further options in tempo etc. The journey is never finished...

Interestingly, while this piece was composed before the 4th piano concerto, it was only published after Rachmaninoff's death. Probably one of the reasons why he just took this unpublished melody and used it in the concerto.

[pianistavt]

Thanks for posting - I've never heard this.  Very well played however I'm not as convinced as I am in your Bach and Scarlatti.  I sense you're a bit reserved/careful vs emotive/expressive - - is your in-depth work on Bach is casting a shadow here?  The dynamic shaping is lovely but it's on a subdued scale.
Excellent piano, and excellent recording equipment - what do you use?

[chaireas]

I can understand your reaction! One thing to note, this is one of Rachmaninoff's most austere and introverted pieces, which certainly doesn't have the immediate appeal of, say, the third piano concerto. Or a lively Bach / Scarlatti piece for that matter. So for me it felt right like this - but I agree that a different interpretation could try to take into a more outgoing direction - might be interesting!

Regarding recording equipment etc: best check out the video on YouTube directly, I give an overview there. Thanks for watching!

[essence]

this is one of my favourite pieces. Very difficult to pull off. It is so much more than the notes. It is a lament, with a central section depicting the remembrance of the departed lover.

Rythm at 1:00 is incorrect.

I know, Ashkenazy doesn;t follow the score either!

Some minor suggestions. The first notes are marked pp. I know difficult, with the fast notes.

The central section must start very very calm and ppp, with the melody ringing out. Then, when marked, more agitato.

getting it very quiet and calm is difficult. I can;t find any Sofronitsky recording, Ashkenazy I have my doubts, but Collard seems to get it. It gets angry out of the calm.