Frédéric Chopin - Piano Prelude Op. 28 No. 15 in D flat major

Question 1

Date of birth / death of Frédéric Chopin

Answer 1

(1810-1849)

Question 2

Nationality of Chopin

Answer 2

Polish

Question 3

Romantic period

Answer 3

1810 - 1900
highly expressive / emotional 
great dynamic range
large orchestras
piano most popular instrument

Question 4

Prelude

Answer 4

‘before play’ played before a movement

Question 5

what is ‘raindrop’ prelude based on

Answer 5

repeated pedal note represents dripping raindrops
sighing motifs suggest melancholy
darker middle section (C# minor) suggests storm

Question 6

Melody of ‘raindrop’

Answer 6

c

Question 7

Melody of ‘raindrop’ A section

Answer 7

cantabile melody (singing style) in A section
melody of section A opens with falling motif (sighing)
followed by scalic movement (helps cantabile)

Question 8

Melody of raindrop B section

Answer 8

less melodic, more chordal

melody on left hand

Question 9

Rhythm and metre of raindrop

Answer 9

4/4 time

irregular length phrases in A section

Question 10

Harmony of raindrop

Answer 10

mostly simple diatonic chords
some chromatic notes
every B section phrase ends with imperfect cadence

Question 11

tonality of raindrop

Answer 11

Overall, the piece is in D flat major. The B section is in C sharp minor. This is enharmonic

Question 12

dynamics of raindrop

Answer 12

use of crescendos/diminuendos
pedal note
most of piece in piano (quiet)

Question 13

texture of raindrop

Answer 13

A Sections = Melody + Accompaniment.

B Section = Homophonic (with pedal against the homophonic chords).

Question 14

structure of raindrop

Answer 14

ternary form : A B A1

unbalanced lengths

Question 15

instrumentation of raindrop

Answer 15

piano

sustaining pedal