Difficult Fingering in Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony

On Aug 16 Andrea asked about fingering a passage from the Classical Symphony by Prokofiev:

I think that the question is not so much one of difficulty as it is of unfamiliarity. When we start learning to play we learn a couple of new notes each lesson and use them in quarter notes or slower. Now that we are advanced players and play everything so fast, we somehow feel inadequate that we cant play new notes immediately at the same speed. Take the time to finger high C# and slur to D only when you are certain in your brain that you know exactly which fingers to move, regardless of how long that should take you. If the change is not smooth and relaxed you didn't prepare properly. When you repeat the exercise you will find that the time needed is less. When it feels very easy, like a quick grace note, start a new exercise. Play high B and move to C# and on to D only when you know exactly what to do etc.. When you can play two grace notes start again with high A - etc.. Now try a different exercise. Play the middle F# and hold it until you can see in your mind exactly how to finger the A and D as quick grace notes to high F#. Then hold that F# until you can see exactly how to finger A - B - C# as quick grace notes to high D. If you stumble in the middle of your grace notes it means you tried to play them before your mind was really clear. Repeat this exercise and you will find that you see each sequence quicker in your mind. You will soon find that you see the two sequences quickly enough to play them as Prokofiev asks. As an exercise this principle applies to any technical passage. The main thing to keep in mind is that just because you succeed in playing one sequence at a particular speed or after a specific delay do not feel the obligation to play the next sequence at the same tempo - it may take more or less time to "see" the progression of "grace" notes to the next "resting" note.