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Romantic · prelude

Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7

Frédéric Chopin · Level 5, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A prelude in a collection shaped over several years. Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7 is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 5, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Romantic
  • dancing
  • gentle
  • block chords

Also known as Prelude: Op. 28, No. 7.

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. An upbeat into the phrase

    A single E upbeat leads into a dotted figure and repeated chords. Let the phrase move toward its held chord without hurrying the short sixteenth note.

  2. Bass first, then chords

    The lower part places a bass note before two chord beats, then holds the chord in the next bar. Keep the bass clear and the following chords supportive.

  3. Hear the inner voice

    In this phrase, a lower voice moves through a dotted figure and then holds D beneath the upper chords. Listen for that inner line as well as the top notes.

  4. A more intense moment

    The lower part grows louder as the harmony rises, then reaches a spread chord. Shape the crescendo without letting the chord sound harsh.

  5. Let the ending settle

    The final phrase moves into A-major chords and a held ending. Keep the release calm and leave the final rest clear.

How to practise it

Connect the pickup and dotted melody above a quiet bass-and-chord gesture.

  1. Pickup and dotted phrase
  2. Bass placement and phrase release

How hard is it

Level 5, estimated

Short length makes this a manageable first Chopin candidate, but the target is controlled chord balance and phrase shape, not simply reaching the last note.

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
Public Domain
Source
mutopiaproject.org

More by Frédéric Chopin

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

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Connect the pickup and dotted melody above a quiet bass-and-chord gesture.

Practise it in PlayPiano