JacksonLast Posted June 11, 2009 Share Posted June 11, 2009 Hi everyone, I'm planning a new work which I'd like to call "Twelve Major Preludes for Two Pianos", using all the major keys kind of in the vein of Chopin and Rachmaninoff's Preludes, but I've been having trouble finding out just what makes a prelude a prelude. I read someone on this forum saying that a prelude was a miniature, but some of Rachmaninoff's preludes are over five minutes, so can I call practically anything a prelude? Thanks for your help, Jackson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voce Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 There's nothing that really makes a prelude a prelude, they don't really have a set form. Often they're based on a single motive- this could be a rhythm or a set of intervals, whatever. Bach's Prelude in C Major from the first book of the Well-Tempered Clavier is a good example of that kind of thing. Other than that, there aren't any set guidelines as far as I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnoeth Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 I assume they are usually miniatures as the piece after the prelude is the main work. But good luck with work, although I think having 12 major preludes set before writing them may be a little restricting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirk Gently Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Prelude is not only a musical term. That should help you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James H. Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Feel free to read our article and see if it helps - I spruced it up with what I know and could dig up, but more knowledgeable fellows are encouraged to add on to it. Prelude - YC Wiki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSC Posted June 12, 2009 Share Posted June 12, 2009 Written preludes were at the beginning nothing more than written improvisations, but as time went on they ended up being a lot more than that, embracing a wide variety of experimental forms/styles of music. Compare for example Debussy's preludes to Chopin's, or Couperin's preludes to Liszt's. It was considered, for obvious reasons, one of the baroque "free forms," like fantasias and in some cases toccatas. So, really, do whatever you want~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JacksonLast Posted June 12, 2009 Author Share Posted June 12, 2009 Thanks for the replies everyone, they've been helpful. :) Jackson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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