Prelude No.15 In D flat Flashcards
Which collection of chop ins preludes does it come from?
Op. 28
When was it composed?
1839
How many preludes are there in total?
24 - 12 major and 12 minor
Where was it intended to be performed?
In a small space such as the home, recital room or a small concert hall
What is the structure?
Ternary form - ABA
What key is it in?
D flat major
A - d flat major
B - C sharp minor (enharmonic tonic minor)
A - d flat major
What does sotto voce mean?
Play quietly
What does smorzando mean?
Dying away
What does slentando or ritenuto mean?
Slow down
What is the time signature?
4/4
What are two unusual rhythmic features used?
Septuplet and dectuplet
What does sostenuto mean?
The piece should be played in a legato, unhurried manner.
What does rubato mean?
The pianist plays some notes longer than written and some notes shorter than written - creates a flexible tempo
How does the prelude begin?
It begins with a lyrical melody in the right hand
How is the opening melody decorated?
With ornaments, such as an acciatura and a turn
What happens to the melody in section B?
It moves to the bass
It has a narrower range
Mostly made up of longer notes
What is the melody mostly made up of?
Four and eight bar phrases
What is the harmony like?
It uses mainly diatonic harmony with occasional chromaticism
What cadence ends both section a and b?
Imperfect cadences
How does the piece end?
With a perfect cadence
What can be heard throughout most of the piece?
A dominant pedal
What is the texture like?
Mostly homophonic
What is the texture like in section A?
Melody in the right hand
Broken chords in the bass
What is the texture like in section B?
Melody is in the left hand
Repeated quavers in the right hand
The pedal is doubled in octaves each time the music builds to a climax
More chordal than section A
What is the texture like at the end?
There is a short monophonic passage in the coda
What are the dynamics like?
Lots of crescendos and diminuendos
Wide range of dynamics
No sudden contrasts
Which parts of the piano does Chopin use?
The middle and lower ranges
What does Chopin do with the piano?
Uses it to produce a legato, singing tone
What does Chopin use for resonance to create legato melodies?
The sustaining pedal
Why is it nicknamed raindrop?
The repeated quavers that sound like raindrops
