Wistful Prelude

Question 1

What is a prelude?

Answer 1

A short introductory piece, or a piece with an improvisatory character.

Preludes are often used to set the mood for a larger work.

Question 2

What does ‘wistful’ mean?

Answer 2

Sad and thoughtful, with a feeling of longing or regret.

This term often conveys a sense of nostalgia.

Question 3

What is the key of ‘Wistful Prelude’?

Answer 3

G major.

The piece primarily stays in this key with some modulations.

Question 4

What is the modulation in ‘Wistful Prelude’?

Answer 4

Brief modulation to B minor in bars 17-19.

This modulation uses a raised 6th (G7) but no raised 7th.

Question 5

What are the other keys hinted at in ‘Wistful Prelude’?

Answer 5

• Bb major (bars 27-28)
• Ab major (bars 29-30)
• F# major (bars 31-32)

These hints add color to the harmonic structure of the piece.

Question 6

What is the form of ‘Wistful Prelude’?

Answer 6

Ternary (ABA) form.

This structure features an initial theme, a contrasting section, and a return to the original theme.

Question 7

What is section A (1) in ‘Wistful Prelude’ and it’s bars?

Answer 7

G major, bars 1-16
Main theme consisting of 4 bar phrases.
First phrase 1-4 gently undulates in pitch with a harmony of mostly the tonic chord.
Second phrase starts on last beat of b.4 introduces gentle syncopation and harmonic variety. Accidentals on chords make harmony rich and jazzy without changing the key.
B. 9-16 Main theme restated.
First phrase unchanged
Second phrase begins with a similar harmonic progression and ends with a jazzy cadence

Question 8

What is section B in ‘Wistful Prelude’ and its bars?

Answer 8

B minor, G major, bars 17-34
17-26 episode part 1, beginning briefly in B Dorian, key of G major is restablished in b. 20
27-34 episode part 2, continuing circle of 5ths progression with passing suggestions of Bb major (27-28), Ab major (29-30), Gb major (31-32) without settling in any of them.

Question 9

What is section A (2) in ‘Wistful Prelude’ and its bars?

Answer 9

G major, bars 35-44
Main theme, final tonic chord is very soft and contains an added 9th

Question 10

What does ‘Andante’ mean?

Answer 10

At an easy walking pace.

This term indicates the tempo of the piece.

Question 11

What does ‘rubato’ mean?

Answer 11

With expressive rhythmic freedom.

It allows for slight variations in tempo for emotional effect.

Question 12

What does ‘d = circa 72-80’ indicate?

Answer 12

A tempo of around 72 to 80 crotchet beats per minute.

Question 13

What does ‘pedale simile’ mean?

Answer 13

Continue pedalling in a similar manner.

Question 14

What does ‘rallentando’ or ‘ritardando’ mean?

Answer 14

Gradually becoming slower.

Question 15

What does ‘a tempo’ mean?

Answer 15

Return to the former speed.

Question 16

What does ‘Tempo I’ signify?

Answer 16

Return to the original speed.

Question 17

What does ‘Poco più mosso’ mean?

Answer 17

A little quicker (i.e. more movement).

Question 18

What does ‘tenuto’ signify?

Answer 18

Held and played with a little more weight.

Question 19

What does the comma at the end of bar 23 indicate?

Answer 19

A slight break, like a breath between phrases.

Question 20

What does ‘meno mosso’ mean?

Answer 20

Slower (i.e. less movement).

Question 21

What does ‘p subito’ mean?

Answer 21

Suddenly soft.

Question 22

What does ‘poco stringendo’ mean?

Answer 22

Becoming a little quicker.

Question 23

What does ‘semplice’ mean?

Answer 23

Simply.

Question 24

What does ‘deliberamente’ mean?

Answer 24

Deliberate and purposeful.

Question 25

What characterizes the style of ‘Wistful Prelude’?

Answer 25

• Unhurried tempo and rhythmic flexibility
• Subtle use of syncopation
• Moderate dynamic range
• Flowing legato melodies
• Lush chordal texture
• Frequent use of 7th and 9th chords
• Circle of 5ths progressions
• Some use of modal harmony

These elements contribute to its categorization as a jazz ballad.

Question 26

Who composed Wistful Prelude?

Answer 26

Geoffrey Russel-Smith, a 20th century English composer, arranger and editor.

Question 27

When and where was the composer of wistful prelude born and died?

Answer 27

Born in 1927 in Hertfordshire, died in 2012

Question 28

Information on Wistful Prelude’s composers early life

Answer 28

Grew up in Beckenham, had an older sister Mollie Russell-Smith who was a painter, studied at the royal college of Music in London

Question 29

What is Wistful Prelude’s composer known for?

Answer 29

Remembered for his work in music education, wrote many books and arrangements for classroom music teachers based on the Kodáky method as the head of educational publishing at Boosey and Hawkes.

Question 30

What are some of wistful preludes composers works?

Answer 30

Easy Blue recorder, Jazzy Recorder 1, Jazzy piano 2 (which includes Wistful Prelude and songs by Brian Bonsor), charades for violin and the piano, Alice and the mad hatter for three clarinets, the cantata The Emperor and the nightingale, and Dingle dangle scarecrow.