Prelude in D major op.23 no.4- Sheet & Music

[FrancesEDoyle]

Yes, this is a difficult piece, but one of the easiest Rachmaninov ever wrote, in my opinion. :) It's hard to read, and you'll have to decide for yourself how to share the notes between hands in the beginning (up to m. 18). But once you've played this piece, it sticks with you. I love it!

[Vesivian]

Urm is this hard to play?

[mlr2107]

@Vesivian Somewhat. Musically yes, because of the hidden melodies in which you have to be aware of, but compared to some of Rach's other piano compositions..not at all lol

[hirose9999]

犬をもうっとりさせる曲

[rubisco1981]

It's ok, it's an extra D in the bass, fits the chord ;)

[whneo97]

Amazing! (Now I know where those relaxing music played when you step into a hotel originated from :P)

[JohnEBPiano]

I'm not trying to be a purist freak or anything here, but I honestly don't see how people can praise this recording so highly when there's a wrong note at one of the most crucial places! I think this, and other things in this performance, make it a rather lackluster recording and I hope to hear a different take by the same pianist.

[yahuui]

@JohnEBPiano music is not about notes :D ... well at least for most people, I think :P

[JohnEBPiano]

@yahuui Indeed it isn't, and it is not like that for me either. If this recording had been on scale with a Neuhaus or Cortot in which they miss notes but still project the beauty of their interpretation cleanly, I would have enjoyed it.

[Masterful6O]

@JohnEBPiano What is a Neuhaus or Cortot?

[Masterful6O]

@JohnEBPiano could you tell me on what minute of the video the mistake is? i'd like to hear it, and do not possses such great hearing skills yet



[JohnEBPiano]

@Masterful6O Haha I don't have great hearing skills, I'm just a musician. The mistake is on the sinker at 1:00 or so.

[1Thompsonmusic]

Can somebody please upload videos of this wonderful pianist? Most of the pianists on youtube are of the less serious pianists for some odd reason. I mean who really cares about Ingrid Fliter or Martha Argerich? Not me.

[Lebowski53]

A very nice version. Interersting the amount of rubato used with the 3s against 2s section. I'm working on this at the moment and my teacher rather frowns on anyone making too romantic a deal out of Rach of Chopin. The proble is though, if you do just stick to the exact time, it can come out sounding rather robotic and cold. Like others have mentioned, this piece feels much more like a nocturne than a prelude.

Check out John Ogdon's version on Spotify - IMMENSE.

[JohnEBPiano]

Wrong note on that sinker in the first minute? Is my ear wrong, how was this recording published

[jerdawg553]

@JohnEBPiano I think you're right.

[4hm3dimr4n]

anyone else reminded of chopin when you look at the beginning of the sheet music?

[fledgehog]

@4hm3dimr4n yeah, the left hand rhythm/right hand melody interplay are very reminiscent of a nocturne

[r4bbbit]

this music makes me dream...

[DonatiStudent]

so warm

[agolakchub]

Beautiful pedaling. Rach is simply legendary! Personally, being a semi-professional pianist myself I feel that Arsha Kaviani's recital of this piece is the most moving, emotional and beautiful rendition that I have seen on youtube. He is the top Pianist residing in the UK at the moment and he just turned 20!! lol. I believe if you look for 'Arsha Kaviani plays Rachmaninov op. 23 no 4 in d major' you'll find his video - PS: it was played live at the gorgeous Burj Al Arab in Dubai!! - stunning xx

[MonteSmiles]

funny thechopinfan got rachmaninoff

[pys3333]

very clear texture, it is retrospective, he is the excellent interpreter!

[sicillia78]

I love this. Brilliant. This song will always hold a special place in my heart. You play it beautifullly. Thanks for sharing it. May you always be blessed with music in your heart. Best wishes.

[high3nd]

thom sent me here.

[Gonz0TheGreat]

In the words of my mentor regarding pieces as beautiful and as passionate as this...

::in a low whisper so not many people hear you::

it's better than sex!

[jrblockquote]

love rachmaninoff and love radiohead. the preludes are a wonderful introduction to rachmaninoff. i highly recommend them!

[johnqpublic2718]

yup yup, thanks thom thom

[ofarevolution441]

absolutely beautiful. thanks thom.

[degree7]

Thom Yorke led me here.

[lerskapare]

Fantastic interpretation!

[pys3333]

@lerskapare

[trynity7]

R-A-C-H-M-A-N-I-N-O-F-F. HAPPY?

[Alexmg123]

I don't know if it's the audio quality, but by FAR this is the best rendition of the prelude compared to other versions here in youtube. This is the way Rachmaninoff should be played; without knowing this piece you automatically know its Rach's.

[pys3333]

@Alexmg123

[sauternety36]

the pedaling is great.

rach is a complicated composer - his music really makes you reflect on yourself.

[oojoo2]

the best musicain beside mozart, beethoven, bach, brahms and tchaikovsky this guy rocks!!! ( i said 'guy' cause i dont know how to spell his name

lol

[cpanati]

Remarkable the varied emotions Rach can wring out of the key of D major.

[Steinwaytoday]

True. He can do the same with d minor. Take for example his Etude-tableaux Op.39 No.8, or his first sonata.

[DonFrankos]

now that is one good comment. +1 and I totally agree

[thecrystalvision]

Maxim Philippov does a spectacular job on this piece!! I AM THRILLED to see that the sixteenth notes at the beginning of this piece FULL LENGTH!!! I dont know how many times I have seen famous composers play them short!!!!!! GRRR!!! Although, in my own personal opinion, i think some of the chords are to 'heavy', shall we say?? Rachmaninoff did such a wonderful job, composing, because he knew how to mix saddness, with happiness, minor with major, and masculinity with romance...BRAVA!!!

[thecrystalvision]

...if i may say...if u are attempting to play this piece...remember to keep it light but heavy at the same time!!! KEEP BALANCE!!! dont over do it just cause you can..and you dont have to play it too soft~

nor, do u have to play it too loud!!

[refulga]

This is in D major, yet probably the most melancholy one among all in op.23.

[goldbolt632]

woo metalicaa

[catharticartist1]

A tear jerker.......

[qazwsxedcrsgbyhnuj]

This looks ridiculously difficult... I bet that 3 against 2 is hard to keep going as well.

[afertyus1000]

the hardest bit i found is to bring out the lower voices

[nudopiano]

Its not that difficult. I mean its not easy, but its not the hardest piano prelude from Rachmaninoff. Its Actually very easy compared to the second prelude from the same Op.

[OrangeSodaKing]

yup, b flat major is pretty tricky. i like this one though. i like all the rachy preludes

[thecrystalvision]

to nudopiano...yes i agree with you...it is technically more difficult than opus 23 no 5 but it is at a much more practical level...AND NOW I WILL SHUT UP...lol

[thecrystalvision]

...in a sense...the notation is at a medium level...but the techniques are much more difficult...rachmaninoff had a way with giving a good challenge...if i may give you a pointer...make up your own fingerings!!!!!!! Rachmaninoff wouldnt have cared im sure...

Happy Playing!!!

[Boogyster]

Rachmaninoff also a different hand compared to "normal" people as well. Stretching an interval of a 11th was no problem to him.

[miliona1re]

Beautiful prelude of Rachmaninoff

[09marc47]

Bravo! Genauso spiele ich auch dieses Prelude!!!

Sehr lyrisch vorgetragen!

Dr. Marc Faure

[anlongv]

which edition is this? I use the Alfred Masterwork Collection, in which the triplets in the first 16 measures are well divided over both left and right hand :)

[gatesurfer]

I think it's a Schirmer. I had my choice and took Schirmer. The Alfred doesn't accurately depict the voice-leading, though it gives you some possibilities about fingering.

[gatesurfer]

And if you want an idea of how it could be played "following" this edition, check out MM713's version of this on Youtube. I don't know who he is, and he's got a crappy piano, but he's got huge hands and very deft touch with the left hand.

[blackkeymaestro]

Excellent idea. Also good interpretation of the 4th prelude...one of my favorites.