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Romantic · prelude

Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 45

Frédéric Chopin · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

A separate prelude with its own dedication. Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 45 is a prelude by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Romantic
  • gentle

History

The Society dates this C-sharp-minor prelude to 1841 and records a dedication to Princess Elisabeth Tchernischeff. It carries its own opus number, 45, rather than being one of the twenty-four Op. 28 preludes.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A descent leads into flowing lower figures

    The descending opening overlaps inner chordal strands before broken-note accompaniment enters. Hear the shift from layered held sound to flowing movement.

  2. Held replies continue over changing figures

    Related held responses and chordal phrases unfold above flowing lower notes. Keep the broader upper sound audible through the moving texture.

  3. A paired-note cadenza expands freely

    The extended cadenza descends through paired chromatic notes and rises again into a higher continuation. Hear its larger route without counting its visual separators as ordinary bars.

  4. A chordal response fades into the ending

    After the cadenza, held chords and renewed flowing figures soften toward the final harmony. Hear the return of sustained sound within that quieter continuation.

How to practise it

Follow the descending quarter-note line independently from the paired inner notes.

  1. Sing the descending pitches without the grace note first, then restore the ornament without adding a new main beat.
  2. Play the paired descent quietly by itself, then combine it with the primary line and listen for two distinct contours.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

Chromatic harmonic movement and lyrical voicing require flexible coordination and sustained expressive direction.

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. 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

Follow the descending quarter-note line independently from the paired inner notes.

Practise it in PlayPiano