How hard is Prokofiev’s “Suggestion Diabolique” to play?

Question by Joe7750: How hard is Prokofiev’s “Suggestion Diabolique”?
How hard do you think it is compared to Rachmaninov’s Prélude Op. 23 Nr. 5 for example?

Answers and Views:

Answer by petr b
The Prokofiev Suggestions Diabolique (the fourth of Four Pieces, Op. 4) has more ‘tricks.’ The score, being a more ‘modern’ harmony, may be more difficult a read and play for you.

I’ve known many an advanced young player to do the Rachmaninov more than creditably, but none doing the same with the Prokofiev.

Of course, my standard answer, true in the realms of advanced younger players, conservatory and beyond, is you should be able to read them readily enough (somewhat near tempo) ~ and you should read them both through ~ to see which gives you the most ‘difficulty’ as per your present set of skills.

If you cannot readily read them through – again at something fairly near the indicated tempo ~ part of your skill set is so far behind your technical playing level that you should first be spending time on bringing that up to par before you go near either piece.

S’truth.

My personal taste? I find the Prokofiev still very ‘fresh’ to listen to, the Rachmaninov a very dull listen.– numbingly predictable and repetitive, even if one had never heard it.

Best regards.

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