At Classic FM Live at the Royal Albert Hall, we spent the day with Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, a pianist who can effortlessly despatch the trickiest of concertos. His amazingness has inspired us to think about, and crack the art of, the Rach.
Powering your way through Rachmaninov's third piano concerto, or belting out his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, is no mean feat. Of course, we know you're awesome and will be fully prepared when the orchestra starts tuning up, but here are a few tips just in case. (We had the amazing Jean-Efflam Bavouzet to help with some of these tips.)
1. Choose your piece
Choose from four piano concertos, and a set of Paganini variations. Nail your piece, and you'll be playing it all your life, so choose carefully. (And no, you can't have them all. You're not Earl Wilde.)
2. Get into the piano
Literally. The best pianistic publicity photos always involve the pianist under the bonnet of one of their beloved machines. Here's our star, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, to model the look.
3. Flowing hair
Is it a fortissimo coda, or is it a shampoo commercial? That's the kind of question you really need to think about. (The answer is both, by the way.)
4. Hands I
Rachmaninov's piano writing is famously full of big intervals – 10ths are not uncommon. The odd 11th too. (Eek.)
5. Hands II
Because it's important. The handily well-endowed Jean-Efflam Bavouzet explains more.
6. Hands III
Those Rachmaninov chords can be tough to reach. Here's an expert explanation (and solution).
7. Hands IV
Clearly we've been heavily implying that size matters. But you may be comforted to know there are many great Rachmaninov pianists who had more modest spans. (Click for a closer look.)
8. Practice
Even before the rehearsals begin, you've got to be laying down your lines. Do it and you're well on your way to amazing. Here's the proof:
9. Choose an amazing orchestra
If you're going to smash out a concerto, make sure you have some of the best strings, woodwind and brass behind you to egg you on. In the '80s, Ashkenazy had the LSO; in the noughties, Hough had the Dallas Symphony. Tonight at Classic FM Live, Jean-Efflam has the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra – and they're more than up for it.
image: http://assets.classicfm.com/2015/15/jean-efflam-bavouzet-classic-fm-live-2015-performance-1429043595.jpg
10. Don't be freaked out by the score
It may look formidable, but if you master them they will become your friends. What's so scary about mega-fast triplets over quavers anyway?
11. And just go for it
Cracked it, smashed it. Take that, Rachmaninov.
(C) 2015 by Classic FM London