PlayPiano
The short answer
A prelude in a collection shaped over several years. Prelude Op. 28 No. 4 is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 4, an estimate.
- prelude
- Romantic
- melancholic
- voicing
History
PTNA's account places the beginnings of some Op. 28 preludes around 1836 and reports completion of the collection in Mallorca in 1838. The autograph collection was sent to Paris in January 1839, and publication followed in 1839. This is a history of the set, not evidence that every prelude began on the island.
Sources
What to listen for
Let the melody enter before the accompaniment
Two pickup notes introduce the upper line while the lower staff rests. In the first full bar, a long B leads to C above eight repeated accompaniment chords. Listen for a singing line over a quiet, even pulse.
How to practise it
Preserve the long melody above softly changing repeated chords.
- Practise the pickup and first two long-note gestures alone.
- Practise the first two lower chord positions slowly with equal volume.
- Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.
How hard is it
The early-intermediate proposal prioritizes sustained melodic direction and controlled supporting sonority through a short complete prelude. Slow note reading is not the same target as a shaped performance.
About this piece
- Collection
- The prelude gallery
- Licence
- Public Domain
- Source
- mutopiaproject.org
More by Frédéric Chopin
- Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
- Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro
