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Romantic · prelude

Prelude in Op. 28, No. 5

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. 5 is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Romantic
  • playful

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. Two moving layers interlock

    Upper and lower sixteenths combine with changing inner notes. Hear the connected pattern rather than one uniformly accented stream.

  2. An angular figure repeats in writing

    The same kind of angular gesture recurs. Listen for its contour within the changing surrounding pitches.

  3. Lower-starting patterns contract downward

    Repeated groups begin below and lead into a descending contraction. Follow the longer downward direction.

  4. Three different arrivals close the piece

    A high short response, arpeggiated answer and final chord with rests complete the ending. Compare their length and register.

How to practise it

Keep the upper sixteenths nimble while the lower part changes register beneath them.

  1. Practise the two six-note outlines slowly, isolating the jump to E/A before reconnecting the full figure.
  2. Tap the rest and play the lower entrance alone, then join only the first few upper notes over it.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

Shifting accents and interlocking figures require precise coordination and a convincing larger pulse.

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 5” by F. F. Chopin (1810 to 1849). Mutopia edition maintained by Knute Snortum. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=2160. 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

Keep the upper sixteenths nimble while the lower part changes register beneath them.

Practise it in PlayPiano