Chopin- Prelude in Db Major 'Raindrop Prelude'

Question 1

Melody

Answer 1

Lind expressive line
Cantabile melodies
Talking sighing opening motif followed by an accenting scale with a a septuplet, accaiccartura and a turn 
B section is chordal
Melody uses rubato

Question 2

Structure

Answer 2

Ternary form- ABA

Ends in a Codetta

Question 3

Harmony and tonality (5)

Answer 3

A section is in Db Major
B section is in the tonic minor of C# Minor
Dominant pedal used throughout- Ab in the A section and the enharmonic equivalent G# in the B section
Dominant pedal used as a pivot note to link the 2 sections
Diatonic harmony but with some chromatic notes to create extended chords

Question 4

Instrumentation

Answer 4

One of the 24 Preludes Chopin wrote for the piano

Question 5

Rhythm (3)

Answer 5

4/4
Much use of rubato, especially in the melody, giving rhythmic flexibility and expressiveness to the tempo
There is complex rhythmic patterns like the septuplet in the opening melody

Question 6

Texture

Answer 6

Homophonic throughout with melodic lines accompanied by repeated pedal notes and broken chord

Question 7

Date and period

Answer 7

1838

Romantic

Question 8

Structure: what form is it in?

Answer 8

Ternary

Question 9

Harmony: the A section is in…

Answer 9

Db Major

Question 10

The B section is in…

Answer 10

C# minor

Question 11

Harmony: the pedal in the A section is a….

Answer 11

Ab

Question 12

Harmony: the pedal in the B section is a…

Answer 12

G#

Question 13

The harmony is…

Answer 13

Diatonic but with extended chords

Question 14

Metre

Answer 14

4/4

Question 15

The texture is..

Answer 15

Homophonic