Sergey Rachmaninoff
Prelude
in G Minor, Op. 23 No. 5
The most played of Rachmaninoff's op 23 Preludes is characterized by its relentless, triumphant marching rhythm and the melting lyricism of the middle section.
Year: 1901
Period: Late Romantic
Piano score: Scanned score 
Audiovisual Study Tool
A Pianistic Earthquake
The Prelude in G-Minor is instantly recognizable, with its throbbing, insistent “alla marcia” theme. The racing octaves contrast starkly with the dreamy wisps of fog of the pianissimo sections, creating the ultimate tension. Played with the once-in-a-century verve of a musician like Richter, the piece conjures up earthquakes in our very collective souls. And, just as suddenly, all becomes the most fragile of frozen helium structures, which would splinter into billions of atoms at the slightest touch. Much as the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto in B-Flat Minor remains a professional pianist’s trump card, the G-Minor Prelude is the “side ace” in the pianist’s repertoire.Background
The Preludes op 23 was composed during Rachmaninoff's happiest years, after he had made great success with the Second Piano Concerto and finally been married to his beloved Natalia after many years of despair and depression. The 5th prelude was composed first, and has become the most performed one of the set. Emil Gilels famously went to the front in World War II, to play this piece for Soviet military forces fighting in the war.Forum posts about this piece:
How could I get my recordings published by the Deutsche Grammephone? by the_franzliszt
I was wondering where I could get my recordings professionally done at and where I could get them published (CD wise)? I want to publish a CD called: A Trip Across the Pacific, with all sorts of...
Is practice all it takes..? by lucasejp
People often ask me (because they know I'm, if I do say so myself, quite good at piano), whether there comes a point where a pianist's technique is sufficient enough for them to be able to practice a...
Is this plan feasible? by henk de potvis
My (advanced) repertoire is the third movement of the moonlight sonata, and fantasie impromptu. I finished Fantasie impromptu in a month after not playing for a while. I would like to play la campanella, but...
How to Become a Piano Teacher Advice by sunlightscreen
Hello guys, Got my ARCT diploma at 13 years old with the highest mark in the branch. Recently took up piano again after a hard 4 years of cold turkey no practice. I reached out to Tom Lee to become a...
Piano Playing Purpose by sunlightscreen
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLs3A_fC2AkHi everyone, With music I feel there needs to be an image or idea in the mind, some kind of emotional thought and release coming from the...
Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor | In-depth Tutorial by antune
Here is my new tutorial about Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G minor Op.23 No.5 I explain how to approach each section step by step, tell about voicing, timing, pedaling, and more. You can get the free...
Prelude in G minor Rachmaninoff Op23 No5 by elva04
Hi! I'm learning this piece at the moment and I have been trying to work out the pedalling for bar 24. Literally every pianist that I listen to seems to play pedal there but anytime that I try it...
Speed of Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor Op.23 No 5 by leanne
Hi. I'm currently working on this prelude. I am playing the outer march sections at about 95bpm, does anyone have any ideas on what speed I should play the middle (lyrical section) at? Thank you.
Passages that sound awesome :D by slurred_beat
In some pieces there are sections that sound awesome and cool and make me excited :D Can you all share some sections in pieces that you think are awesome? :D
Prelude op. 23 no. 5 by l3g0br1ck
Hello everyone, I've been learning Rach's prelude op. 23 no. 5 for about 2 months now (I don't have a lot of time to practice), and I can very well play everything very well. But I still...
Can one go straight to practicing one's favorite pieces? by dontcheeseme
I aim to be a slightly adequate piano player asap, and that means possibly skipping the grades 4-8 materials and just diving into my favorite pieces but that means playing with mistakes and imperfection. Is...
Adult returner - need help with etudes, which one to play, coming back to basics by timtim
Hi all, Before I will go to the point, just brief introduction. I am 37 year old piano returner. I was actively playing till around being 25, and level that I achieved were easy Chopin Etudes,...
Voicing different melodies in Rachmaninov (and all pieces) by danielo
I am currently working on some of the more accessible Rach preludes (Op 23 nos 1, 4 and 5) and am having difficulties voicing some of the 'hidden melodies'. If I play too quietly the notes are lost,...
What to learn after Rach C# Minor? by sparoz
I have just finished the prelude - not quite at concert standard yet and a bit of polishing to do, but my teacher wants a new piece. She suggested the G minor, but I am struggling to connect with the...
help with music choice by iplaypianolol
hi im a piano player who wants to learn a piano concerto for fun (im considering playing it in a competition but not sure yet). i was wondering if people had concerto suggestions, since i dont really know where...
Работа by thejeev
I've done a lot of talking, but I put this together for the time being. I hope by showing you how my brain is thinking, you'll see music from the perspective that I am. The link to...
rachmaninoff prelude op 23 no 2 is harder or prelude no 5 op23 is harder by aweshana21
Is the rachmaninoff prelude op 23 no 2 is harder or prelude no 5 op23 is...
I want to choose a new piano piece by aweshana21
I'm playing the rachmaninoff prelude alla marcia, and i can either between the schrezo op 16 no 2, the rondo capricco op14, and the moment music...
Searching for a new piece by irrational
Hi. Many people here have listened to things that I haven't and I am looking for some options. When I was around Grade 4 level my teacher had me start on Mozart Fantasia K.397. Now at grade...
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Prelude in G Minor Op. 23 No. 5 by the composer Sergey Rachmaninoff (1873-1943). This piano piece was composed in 1901 and is part of Rachmaninoff's Preludes.