Some Musical Aid

So this isn't precisely 'Homework Help'. But it's close enough. ^_~ Below, the first page of Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C# Minor, which I've been working on lately.


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The question is on the third note of the piece, a chord that reappears at the beginning of each of the next four measures.

As you can see, this chord appears to be D - so, according to key signature, D#. Yet the recording I have of this piece has the pianist playing it as a C#. Am I merely reading the music wrong or is there some sort of open rule as applies to interpretation here?

All thoughts, questions and suggestions welcome - and if I am being laughably stupid on this note and missing some painfully obvious detail, feel free to whack me upside the head. ^_~

(EDIT: Ignore the pencil scribbles between the notes... the deep dreamer was trying to keep track of everything. I suppose I should have deleted it before I scanned it in.)

Too long for me... Good luck!

Just my two cents-play it by ear. Whichever sounds better to you, go with it and explain to your teacher your dilemma or why you chose what you did. Besides, musicians are supposed to be creative, and we know you have plenty of that!

Love ya!

Be warned that I tend to be sucktastic at reading ledger lines, but from what I can see, it is a C#. The note preceeding it is a G#, and the note in question is a fifth down from the preceeding note. And the upper note in the bass clef is definitely a C#.

I think you might be thinking up instead of down?

!_!

*takes a second look*

Do you know, Lilyy, I think you're right. Let me look into this - curse it, I was thinking up. *head/desk* Okay, that was embarassing. ^_~ It was a painfully stupid mistake after all? Ach. Bloody ledger lines.

But thank you, sincerely - I didn't look at it close enough, and you're right.

*burns the page*