Chopin "Raindrop Prelude"

Question 0

What key is the piece in? Does the key modulate?

Answer 0

Section A is in D flat major

Section B is in C# minor (tonic minor)

Question 1

What is the structure of this piece?

Answer 1

Ternary form - ABA

Question 2

What is the dominant pedal?

Answer 2

Repeated A flat’s in section A which represent the raindrops

Repeated G#’s in section B

Question 3

Does section A and B end with perfect or imperfect cadences?

Answer 3

Imperfect cadence

Question 4

Does the prelude end in a perfect or imperfect cadence?

Answer 4

Perfect cadence

Question 5

What is constantly heard throughout the piece?

Answer 5

The dominant pedal

Question 6

What is the time signature in this piece?

Answer 6

4/4 common time (present in the score with a capital ‘C’)

Question 7

Name a rhythmic feature in this piece.

Answer 7

Septuplet in bars 4 and 23

Question 8

What is the main texture of this piece?

Answer 8

Homophonic

Question 9

Describe the melody in section A.

Answer 9

the melody is in the right hand and broken chords at played in he left hand

Question 10

Describe the melody in section B.

Answer 10

Melody is in the left hand and repeated quavers (dominant pedal) is in the right hand

Question 11

What instruments/instrument is used in this piece?

Answer 11

Piano

Question 12

What parts of the piano are used in this piece?

Answer 12

Uses mainly middle and lower ranges of piano

Question 13

Is this an example of Chopin’s virtuoso writing fro piano?

Answer 13

No

Question 14

Describe the dynamics.

Answer 14

There is a wide range in dynamics

Question 15

Name two playing techniques heard in his piece.

Answer 15

Legato and sustain pedal is used for resonance.

Question 16

What genre is this piece?

Answer 16

Romantic piano

Question 17

What era was this piece composed?

Answer 17

The romantic era 1825-1900

Question 18

Give features of romantic music.

Answer 18

Romantic music conveys emotions, tells stories and paints musical pictures.
Composers were freer to develop own personal styles.
Orchestras expanded

Question 19

Describe the melody.

Answer 19

Lyrical melody.
Acciacaturas (decoration) used
Melody is mainly in four 8 bar phrases
Rubato is used to convey expression
Melody is in right hand for section A and left hand for section B.