Prelude in Db Major

Created by: Elin Davies
Created on: 29-08-13 18:50

Prelude in Db Major Context

Chopin (1810-49) Polish, moved to Paris- Romantic- pub. 1839. Went to Majorca- written in a storm, dropping of raindrops on monastery. 15/24 Preludes, represented by continual Ab/G#s. House/ salon/ recital room/ small concert hall

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Prelude in Db Major Structure

Ternary form with a small codetta. B) much longer than other sections. Return of A) much shorter than orig. A. A) Db major B) enharmonic tonic minor of C# minor. Contrasts with A- minor, melody starts in bass, more dynamics. Dominant pedals unify.

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Prelude in Db Major Tonality

Db major, briefly visiting nearly- related keys. B) Enharmonic tonic minor C# minor. Returns to Db major for last section, despite some chromatic notes. Keys defined by functional harmony- (im)perfect cadences and a dominant pedal throughout.

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Prelude in Db Major Harmony

Functional- (im)perfect cadences, dominant pedal seen in bass, inner and inverted. Dominant 7ths and 9ths. Mainly diatonic harmony with some chromaticism + added notes to chords. Chord without a 3rd in B as it moves between keys. Added 6th in B.

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Prelude in Db Major Texture

Homophonic, with 2 monophonic bars at start of Codetta. A) mainly melody in RH over broken chords above a repeated pedal note. B) more chordal, melody and bass in LH, inverted pedal in RH. Loud sections= thicker texture by 8ve doubling.

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Prelude in Db Major Melody

Rubato.Periodic phrasing.A)begins +ends repeated 4-bar phrases.Lyrical, cantabile,bits of chromat +ornaments, narrow range, mainly conjunct and soft.B) chorale-like 4 +8 bar phrases.Starts softly +builds.Codetta has highest note and has new melody.

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Prelude in Db Major Rhythm and Metre

Simple quadruple time, continuous quaver ostinato throughout. A) dotted rhythms and septuplets and dectuplet, some syncopation. B) mainly crotchets and longer notes. Rubato may be used + there are fluctuations marked (slentando and ritenuto).

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Prelude in Db Major Resources/ Use of Piano

A) middle range B) bass register. Sustaining pedal required throughout. Some florid ornaments. A) legato/ cantabile tone over broken chords. Expressive range of dynamics with cresc and decresc. 8ve doubling, tempo rubato, slentando.

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Prelude in Db Major Dynamics

Expressive range- from p to ff with (de)crescendos. No sudden contrasts. A) mainly soft with some (de)crescendos. B) starts softly, builds to very loud, lots of variety of dynamics.

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Virtuoso Performer

Someone who's mastered skills and techniques of their art form to an extraordinary standard. Heroic soloist. Chopin, Brahms and Liszt wrote pieces for themselves.

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Prelude in Db Major Structure

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Prelude in Db Major