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The short answer
A prelude in a collection shaped over several years. Prelude in D-flat major, Op. 28 No. 15 (‘Raindrop’) is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.
- prelude
- Romantic
- gentle
- stormy
- ornaments
Also known as Prelude: Op. 28, No. 15.
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
A long melody over a moving pulse
The melody moves from F through D-flat to a held A-flat, then rises to B-flat. In the following bar, C lasts for three beats. Listen for the long upper notes while the lower part continues in eighth notes.
A different melodic contour
Repeated E-flats begin the next phrase, followed by a descent from G-flat through F, E-flat and D-flat. The following bars introduce C-flat and a small appoggiatura. Listen for this changed contour after the familiar opening returns.
How to practise it
Keep the slow melodic line above softly repeated support.
- Practise the first two upper gestures alone.
- Practise the lower strands separately, then combine them quietly.
- Connect the stated opening gestures at a comfortable tempo, keeping their distinct releases.
How hard is it
A contrasting-section prelude needs a longer span of pacing and voicing control than an opening-theme exercise. Repetition does not remove the need to shape a coherent 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
