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Topic: Rachmaninov - Variation on a Theme of Pagganini - Is It Difficult  (Read 1818 times)

Offline nicko124

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Hello

I need to know is this piee difficult or not because from hearing it i can't imagine it being too tricky at all (Grade 7 maybe). However i am sure people have made it out to be diffcult and i can't understand why. Can someone tell me the verdict on this piece?

If it is difficult can you explain why. I have a suspicion that in terms of the solo piano version the difficulty must lie within the piano playing of the orchestra part.

Offline musicsdarkangel

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Oh, when I first heard it, it sounded like cake.


This is NOT the case.

Get the score (it's online somewhere too), and follow the music while listening to it.

This piece flies, and has some ridiculous runs as well as octave passages in it.  The music is filled with 16th notes that jump everywhere.

Just keep listening, every time you will pick up something new and be like "what was that?!"

Offline pianomann1984

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I agree - you say it all there, darkangel...this piece is incredibly difficult - way past the level of grade 8 - I would put it around the level of the ABRSM Licentiate Diploma, I think.  Some very difficult passagework to be negotiated, some to be treated with the same vocal-respect as you might treat a Bach 5-part Fugue: very hard, but possibly the most rewarding thing to play, ever!
"What would you do if you weren't afraid?"

Offline nicko124

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I agree - you say it all there, darkangel...this piece is incredibly difficult - way past the level of grade 8 - I would put it around the level of the ABRSM Licentiate Diploma, I think.  Some very difficult passagework to be negotiated, some to be treated with the same vocal-respect as you might treat a Bach 5-part Fugue: very hard, but possibly the most rewarding thing to play, ever!

So is it the orchestral part that is difficult? The intro sounds more simple.

Offline musicsdarkangel

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The intro is simple, but it gets tougher and tougher...the piano part is where the difficulty lies: it's a beast.

Offline apion

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So is it the orchestral part that is difficult? The intro sounds more simple.

The intro to most theme and variations is simple.  For example, the opening aria in Brahms Handel Variations is quite simple and straightforward ........ but in a matter of seconds Brahms unleashes a series of highly demanding variations ....... which culminate in a grand fugue of epic proportions.

Offline aajjmb

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(Grade 7 maybe).

i deno where your from but maybe grade 7 university!!(k not that hard) its definately a challenging piece... harder than gried concerto for sure.  Its easier then rachmaninoffs other conertos though.....would definately need to habe arct before playing... not grade 7!!!
I learnt and memorized Fantasie Impromptu In 2 hours!

Offline steinwayguy

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i deno where your from but maybe grade 7 university!!(k not that hard) its definately a challenging piece... harder than gried concerto for sure. Its easier then rachmaninoffs other conertos though.....would definately need to habe arct before playing... not grade 7!!!

Wrong. I'd say it's either the second or third most difficult Rachmaninoff concerto, definitely besting 2 and either 1 or 4.

Offline nicko124

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i deno where your from but maybe grade 7 university!!(k not that hard) its definately a challenging piece... harder than gried concerto for sure.  Its easier then rachmaninoffs other conertos though.....would definately need to habe arct before playing... not grade 7!!!

Thats just what i though from hearing recordings though, wouldn't you assume the same: that is a lot more complicated than it sounds. I haven't seen the sheets yet so i cannot judge from them.

Offline chopin_rules

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I was once going to play this concerto but later changed my mind. It is certainly a very difficult piece. But who can determaine it's difficulty, it may be difficult for some people, and easy for others. There are some very technical passages, and some very tricky moments. It is perhaps in my opinion the least difficult of the rachmaninoff concerto's, but it is by no stretch of the imagination an easy task. The score itself is not to scary, the piece on the whole is not to scary, it is just a few variations and moments that are extremly hard to get under the fingers and in the mind to pull of under the pressure of a concert, and with a full orchestra behind you. In my opinion the difficulty cannot be judged on a whole as all people will have different difficulties with the piece and others won't, but if I had to lable a difficulty I would say FRSM, (ABRSM)

Offline musicsdarkangel

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Many people say it is the most technically demanding Rach concerto after the 3rd.


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