Rachmaninoff Third, first movement

[steinwayguy]

What are the hardest sections in this movement?

I remember seeing someone ask a similar question a couple months ago but I couldn't find the thread...

[rob47]

practice it hands separately and you will find out which are the hardest sections for you .

IMHO, the left hand is pretty ruthless at-

just after rehearsal 10, 'Tempo Precendete ma un poco piu mosso'

piu vivo at the bottom of pg. 17 to pg. 18.

Althoguh both of these are patterns will eventually come,  I recommend slow practice, with extreme examination at, and away from the piano - be aware of your hands every momvement in these sections and what works cuz they are quite awkward, and have a habit of forgetting themselves.

hmm, and also it is very difficult in general . There is a reason people say "OOOOOOH RACHHHH 3"

other advice:

- Don't do the ossia cadenza unless you really want to.  Learn the whole work, if that is your intention, and perhaps learn it then. Or learn it now whatever.

-Try not to imitate Horowitz. 

-STAY ENTHUSIASTIC and BE VERY PATIENT

-Also listen to Rach himself play it if you already haven't.

uhm, ya.

[steinwayguy]

Alright, thanks. Yes I'm going to go ahead a learn the Ossia cadenza. (is that the hardest part of the movement?) And for now I'm just learning the first movement, as I don't have time (or the ability) to play the gruesome third.

[thierry13]

With what you've played you sure have the ability. Not time is a good reason tough as its long 

[Sergey R]

I started this piece a few months ago, and the first movement cadenza was where I started, and it seemed to be the hardest part of the first movement for me.

Sergey R

[shasta]

My friend performed the Rach3 as the winner of a concerto competition.  She said the hardest part of the 1st movement was ~3/4th of the way in, where the piano comes in at the "Piu vivo" just after the flute, clarinet, and oboe are finishing their little interplay of staccato descending 3rds with the piano.  She said those next 16 measures kicked her ***.

[Nightscape]

My friend performed the Rach3 as the winner of a concerto competition.  She said the hardest part of the 1st movement was ~3/4th of the way in, where the piano comes in at the "Piu vivo" just after the flute, clarinet, and oboe are finishing their little interplay of staccato descending 3rds with the piano.  She said those next 16 measures kicked her ***.

That sounds like it would be the hardest part.  The notes fly by so fast, it sounds like they're practically squished together!

[shasta]

That sounds like it would be the hardest part.  The notes fly by so fast, it sounds like they're practically squished together!

Those 16 measures are a real handful to play - - - the trick is trying to bring out the melody above all the inner voicings, the triplets in the RH, and the sextuplets in the LH, while slowing building tension and drive to keep the piece moving forward.

[steinwayguy]

Alright I suppose I'll start there and then do the cadenza. Thanks for the help, everyone.

[thierry13]

Firstly I would like to mention that I don't think the cadenza is the hardest part. Secondly, personally, I prefer to play not the ossia, cause I think it suits more the piece. And the ossia is not that much harder than the original one. Actually, the hardest part of the cadenza is where there is no ossia cadenza, only one possibility(IMO). Just my opinion, but most people like more the ossia.

[viking]

Firstly I would like to mention that I don't think the cadenza is the hardest part.

I completely agree.  Although I havent played this movement in its entirety, the ossia cadenza is clearly NOT the most difficult part of the movement.  The whole first movement is somewhat demanding, but not nearly as demanding as the third movement.  One of the toughest parts in the movement IMO is page 6 in my B&H edition.  Also, I would suggest learning both cadenzas before you just play the ossia.  Ossia is quite fun, but there are equal benefits to both, if not more to the original cadenza.  Ossia is funner to play tho
SAM

[lostinidlewonder]

What are the hardest sections in this movement?

I remember seeing someone ask a similar question a couple months ago but I couldn't find the thread...

Is it this one??

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,7655.msg77435.html

[steinwayguy]

Is it this one??

https://www.pianoforum.net/smf/index.php/topic,7655.msg77435.html

Yes, but it turns out it doesn't help much because I'm going to learn the ossia cadenza. As I stated before, I will only be learning the first movement, until next June, thus all the competitions I plan on entering it in are one movement competitions. If all I'm playing is the first movement, I believe the ossia cadenza is better.

[steinwayguy]

Also, a very large problem I see in the future is memorizing this movement (or the entire piece). Usually, harmony is one of my biggest neumonic devices but there aren't many clear-cut harmonies that I can pick out right away. Should I just try to find something else to help memorize? Any suggestions?

[Sergey R]

Yeah, I learnt the original cadenza so I don't know much about the ossia.

And for memorising, I tried the method of memorising a piece as you learn, and it did help me. How far are you into learning the first movement? If you've still got a lot to learn, then I would recommend trying to memorise as you learn. I find that it has helped me so far.