Prelude In D Major (Rachmaninoff) on:
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The Prelude in D major, Op. 23 No. 4 is a 1903 composition by
Measure 3 The theme is in the form of a period, composed of two symmetrical phrases, the consequent being a more embellished version of the antecedent, presenting a triplet descant in the treble voice above the main theme in the right-hand alto voice. The right-hand voices are offset against an eighth-note figure in the left-hand:
Measure 19 The middle section presents rhythmic changes and several modulations. Triplets appear in the accompaniment, and shorter phrasing is utilized:
Measures 35 and 36 The piece reaches its climax at measures 50–51, and immediately resolves back into the main section:
Measures 50 and 51 Here, the triplet flow returns to the left-hand bass line, while a high counterpoint is introduced in the main melody. Only the antecedent of the original phrase is recapitulated, lengthened by eight additional measures that provide closure.
Measures 53 and 54
YouTube Live Recording
Live by Willis Miller (2012).
Detailed 5-layer analysis (by Lance Bastian)
{{Authority control Preludes by Sergei Rachmaninoff Compositions in D major
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff; in Russian pre-revolutionary script. (28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a composer, one o ...
.''Id.'' It is part of Rachmaninoff's Ten Preludes, Op. 23.
Structure
Theprelude
Prelude may refer to:
Music
*Prelude (music), a musical form
*Prelude (band), an English-based folk band
*Prelude Records (record label), a former New York-based dance independent record label
*Chorale prelude, a short liturgical composition for ...
is in ternary form. The theme of the main section is introduced in measure 3:
Measure 3 The theme is in the form of a period, composed of two symmetrical phrases, the consequent being a more embellished version of the antecedent, presenting a triplet descant in the treble voice above the main theme in the right-hand alto voice. The right-hand voices are offset against an eighth-note figure in the left-hand:
Measure 19 The middle section presents rhythmic changes and several modulations. Triplets appear in the accompaniment, and shorter phrasing is utilized:
Measures 35 and 36 The piece reaches its climax at measures 50–51, and immediately resolves back into the main section:
Measures 50 and 51 Here, the triplet flow returns to the left-hand bass line, while a high counterpoint is introduced in the main melody. Only the antecedent of the original phrase is recapitulated, lengthened by eight additional measures that provide closure.
Measures 53 and 54
Recordings
YouTube Live Recording
Live by Willis Miller (2012).
References
External links
Detailed 5-layer analysis (by Lance Bastian)
{{Authority control Preludes by Sergei Rachmaninoff Compositions in D major