Rach PC 3 Movement 2 or 3.

[piiano]

Hey guys. Quick backstory about my technical abilities I've been playing since 2017 and I just finished up Ballade 4 with my teacher this summer, took approximately 7 months, 5 without a teacher. Now that I'm back in college I'm feeling adventurous. I want to play a movement from Rachmaninov's Piano concerto 3 - I've always been obsessed with this song since 2019 and I feel like I'm ready to tackle a single movement. My favorite movement is the 3rd, I have began to learn parts but it really is very daunting. The second movement is easier, but it's also my second favorite. Which movement should I focus on to get the maximum amount of benefit from practicing, without wasting time? I know I can play both but the journey to get there... Thanks!

[perfect_pitch]

If you're talking about the 4th Ballade by Chopin - you shouldn't even begin thinking about the Rachmaninoff yet. I played the 4th Ballade, and between then and starting the Rachmaninoff Concerto No. 3, I played

A Bach Partita in its entirety
A number of Chopins Etudes
Beethovens 30th Sonata in E, Op 109
Liszts Totentanz
Brahms Paganini Variations (both books)
Stravinsky's 3 Movements from Petrushka
Brahms 1st Piano Concerto in d minor (whole thing)

Patience young one... have patience. Build up to it.

[essence]

You think the second movement is easier? Have you tried to play it up to speed?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Just start which one you like more.  If it’s fulfilling it’s fulfilling don’t worry about which one is harder or at your level or whatever.  If it’s easy enough you’ll finish it if it’s not you won’t

[essence]

yes,do whatever you want, but if you are going to perform in public you need to understand the difficulties. All the rach PC 3 movements are very difficult, but the second movement is the most difficult.

i=TDXiiQb7qArXeg0K

from about 24:00

Can't resist this performance.

[essence]

Aha a- this explains it all.

[piiano]

Just start which one you like more.  If it’s fulfilling it’s fulfilling don’t worry about which one is harder or at your level or whatever.  If it’s easy enough you’ll finish it if it’s not you won’t

Honestly I've actually gotten pretty far into the 3rd movement and I'm not really struggling. I'm spending hours practicing everyday and it's probably the most fun I've ever had learning something. This was probably the right choice for me.

[perfect_pitch]

You think the second movement is easier? Have you tried to play it up to speed?

It's a sh*t load easier than the 3rd... the 3rd movement is bloody brutal. Those large chunky chord hops are a bastard, and I can barely reach a 10th. That bit just before the last cadenza and the D Major section is an absolute arse...

eature=shared&t=2300
Click on 38:20


(Okay - this forum really needs to allow us to share YouTube links with the appropriate time stamp as well. )

[essence]

Actually the first page is the hardest. i hadn;t realised the markings were mf all the way through, with no phrasings.

If you are talking about page 76  I don;t have any problem with that.  but my LH drops off during page 72.

just realised you were playing this! Great effort. i am no where near your ability.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Honestly I've actually gotten pretty far into the 3rd movement and I'm not really struggling. I'm spending hours practicing everyday and it's probably the most fun I've ever had learning something. This was probably the right choice for me.

When I was learned Rach 3 I was debating between starting that or the first Chopin ballade.  I hated Chopin so much I figured it would be easier just to learn Rach 3 instead lol

[essence]

one reason why i browse these forums (fora?) is because it leads me to investigate. just come across this

which i find spell binding. We can learn a lot from from this.

[perfect_pitch]

Man... I hope to be playing that well when I'm 74.

[essence]

I'm 70 so not far away.

My impression is that the interprtation is on purpose, and not particularly driven by age. It is a mature interpretation. The opening is so intimate.

At 74, you may not have the stamina to belt it out all the way through, but who wants that anyway?

I understand he was suffering from AIDs at the time.

A lot of pianists can learn much from this performance.

The nocturne was special too - this nocturne always make me think it was an inspiration for Debussy's Les fées sont d'exquises danseuses - I hear the fairies dancing in this nocturne.

[perfect_pitch]

I still got decades to go before I hit that... but I think the Rach 3 will be something I'll brush off every year or two to keep in my repertoire.

Have you seen Pollini perform the Brahms No. 1 at 70??? I was stupefied... that man hasn't lost a thing in his later years. He had the stamina and bravura of a 30 year old.