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Romantic · prelude

Prelude in G-flat major, Op. 16 No. 3 (Andante cantabile)

Alexander Scriabin · Level 6, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Prelude in G-flat major, Op. 16 No. 3 (Andante cantabile) is a prelude by Alexander Scriabin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.

On this page
  • prelude
  • Romantic
  • dreamy

Also known as Préludes opus 16 - 3..

History

Nicholls places this prelude in Moscow in 1894. His analysis highlights the recurring sixths supporting its decorated melodic line.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. Quarter-note movement introduces the song

    The opening line leads toward triplet figures and chordal answers. Hear its steady longer contour before the texture changes.

  2. Triplet figures return with higher answers

    The written recall leads to higher responses. Follow the familiar shape through the new placement.

  3. The opening returns with more ornament

    Different local groups decorate the opening-related line. Hear the melody through the added rhythmic detail.

  4. Held strands overlap into the ending

    The final voices have different sustained and resting spans. Listen to the remaining sound rather than treating each voice’s end as the work’s end.

How to practise it

Rest and long upper outline; independent lower contour.

  1. Count the initial rest and let the first note enter as part of the phrase rather than a new heavy beat.
  2. Read the lower line independently; its matching durations do not imply matching pitches or hands.

How hard is it

Level 6, estimated

The texture moves from a singing line into smaller triplet figures and layered chord writing. Keeping the melodic direction through those changes calls for intermediate voicing and rhythmic control.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Alexander Scriabin, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
The prelude gallery
Licence
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5
Source
mutopiaproject.org
Credit
“Préludes opus 16 - 3.” by A. Scriabin (1872 to 1915). Mutopia edition maintained by Philippe Hézaine. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=761. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/. Changes to the supplied file: none; any later conversion or edit must be disclosed separately.

More by Alexander Scriabin

  1. Prelude in E-flat minor, Op. 16 No. 4 (Lento)Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Étude in C-sharp minor, Op. 2 No. 1Level 6, estimatedWith Maestro
  3. Two Pieces, Op. 59: No. 2, PreludeLevel 7, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Rest and long upper outline; independent lower contour.

Practise it in PlayPiano