Prelude in Op. 28, No. 23

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

• enc.piano.or.jp
• repozytorium.nifc.pl

What to listen for

1. 1

   Upper flow sits above sparse lower replies

   Continuous sixteenths move over arpeggios and trill responses. Hear the longer flow while keeping the lower punctuation audible.

2. 2

   The opening recall climbs higher

   Familiar material returns with a rising high-register continuation. Follow its contour through the changed placement.

3. 3

   A later recall descends toward its first register

   The opening shape returns again and moves downward. Compare this route with the earlier high ascent.

4. 4

   A final sweep reaches two held layers

   The last rise settles onto a high note with low support. Hear the separate registers sustain the ending together.

How to practise it

Keep the flowing upper pattern distinct from lower rests and ornaments

1. Keep the moving pattern even
2. Respect the space in the lower part

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

The prelude gallery

Licence

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0

Source

mutopiaproject.org

Credit

“Prélude 23” by F. F. Chopin (1810 to 1849). Mutopia edition maintained by Knute Snortum. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=2220. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/. Changes to the supplied file: none; any later conversion or edit must be disclosed separately.

More by Frédéric Chopin

1. 1Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro