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Romantic · prelude

Prelude in Op. 28, No. 3

Frédéric Chopin · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A prelude in a collection shaped over several years. Prelude in Op. 28, No. 3 is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Romantic
  • joyful

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

  1. Lower running notes prepare the song

    The lower line runs during two upper-rest units, then supports the long melody. Hear its movement continue beneath the entry.

  2. The song returns in writing

    The earlier upper contour reappears above related lower figures. Recognise the melody through its renewed support.

  3. An upper rest prepares shared movement

    The upper line leaves space before the shared run. Hear the lower texture remain active during that preparation.

  4. Both parts climb before chordal arrivals

    The shared sixteenth run rises to a high note before two closing chords. Hear its larger ascent settle into the ending.

How to practise it

Bring in the melody over a lower pattern whose turning points are already secure.

  1. Count the initial silent upper part while playing the lower pattern; sing the first D before adding it.
  2. Play the pattern in four-note groups, then connect across the B peak and the descending return.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

Continuous agile bass figuration must remain even under a separately shaped upper melody.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Frédéric Chopin, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
The prelude gallery
Licence
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0
Source
mutopiaproject.org
Credit
“Prélude 3” by F. F. Chopin (1810 to 1849). Mutopia edition maintained by Knute Snortum. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=2159. 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. Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Bring in the melody over a lower pattern whose turning points are already secure.

Practise it in PlayPiano