Rolling those Chords

[abe]

I am working on Brahms Rhapsody op. 79/1, and it is shaping up very nicely expect for the nasty few measure of rolled chords in the left hand and octaves in the right hand.
The section I am talking about is just before the dolce section where it changes keys.
This section repeats again just before the triplet passage in the right hand at the end.
I can play the passage fine at a slow tempo, but it seems impossible to speed it up and make it smooth.
My hands are pretty big, and I can reach the chords without rolling, but that causes straining and tenseness.
I try to relax my left hand, and I aim always for the top note, but it is really hard to get those chords up to speed.
I have been working at it for quite a while, and I need some advice on how to master it.
Any special exercises I should do to improve rolled chord speed, or just more slow practice?
Those of you who have played this peice, please help.
Thank you!
--Abe

[quantum]

I haven't played the piece, but here are some suggestions. 

Try starting the roll earlier, rather than roll quicker.  What you need to listen to is the overall effect, sometimes rolls that are too quick sound pushed or out of character with the rest of the phrasing.  Try to go for a more organic roll feel as opposed to a mechanical one. 

[celticqt]

This is something I read in one of Bernhard's posts (someone correct me if I get this wrong, please):  Instead of trying to speed up the chord, try slowing it down instead.  Play all the notes of the chord at once (blocked).  Then you have infinite speed.  Now you just need to slow it down.  Hope that helps.  

[abe]

Thanks for the replies.

The real problem lies in the fact that I have to switch quickly between the rolled chords, and that involves some jumping. I tend to tense up when making a quick jump (especially with left hand), and that makes it really difficult to land on the bottom note of the chord and accurately hit all of the other notes.

I definately am trying to start the roll as early as possible (although that's hindered by the jumps, as mentioned above), but the tempo requires some pretty quick rolling. I don't know how Katchen is able to maintain such velocity while making those chords to smooth and organic as you said.

That's a good point, to try to play them first as blocked chords, then just "slowing them down". Unfortunately, as is typical of Brahms, they are very awkward.

I'll figure it out somehow. Thanks for the tips.
--Abe