Chopin's Raindrop Prelude

Where does this prelude come from?

Answer: It comes from a collection of 24 preludes

When was the work published?

Answer: It was published in 1839 (the 19th century)

• Section A is characterised by an arrpegiated rising and falling motif in the RH
  • This could be said to represent sadness as it imitates the act of sighing
  • It is arranged in regular 4 bar phrases
  • It is ornamented by acciacaturas, septuplets, dectuplets and turns - typical Chopin style
• In section A the melody is consitently in the RH but in section B the melody switches between the LH and the RH
  • The melody ends in the RH in section B
• The melody in section B is much lower in pitch compared to section A
  • Sounds more ominous
  • Has a minor key - accentuating the omnious feel
  • It could also be described as a chorale-like melody.

• The falling and repeated notes in this piece are said to represent or sound like raindrops, giving this prelude it's iconic title.

• The tempo marking of this piece is Sostenuto meaning sustained
• The piece is written in 4 time
• The piece has a use of rubato and the sustaining pedal
  • In typical Romantic style
• The piece has much dynamic and tempo change and markings
• There are dotted rhythms and ornaments
• There is a dominant pedal in section B - repeated quavers

• Use of a dominant pedal
  • Moves up and down within the melody
• Regular Cadence points
  • Section A (D♭major) ends in an imperfect cadence - 5, 7th chord
  • Section B (C# minor) ends in another imperfect cadence
• The use of 7ths is common 
• Lots of chromaticism
• The piece finishes on a perfect cadence.
  • There are a few smaller modulations to:
    • A♭minor
    • G# minor
    • B♭ minor

• The piece has an overall homophonic texture
• Section A is in melody dominated homophany
  • Accompanied by a broken chord accompaniment in the LH
• Section B has a more chordal texture
• The beginning of the coda is monophonic

• Section A is relatively quiet
• In section B- as more notes are added to the chords the dynamic increases
  • In general

• Cantabile Legarto
• Use of the sustaining pedal
  • pedal markings in the score
• Use of rubato 

• This piece is written in Ternery form - ABA
  • It also has a coda at the end
• The sections have uneven legnths
  • The repeat of section A is much shorter than the first section A
• Section A is also said to be written in a miniature tenery form