Though he was not the first to compose a collection pieces traversing the twenty-four major and minor keys, Johann Sebastian Bach certainly established the precedent and standard by which all other would be judged, and simultaneously offered the pianist a plentiful source of exercise and the composer a manual of composition and a point of origin for inspiration. Others followed in his footsteps—throughout the 19th century, most notably Frédéric Chopin, Charles-Valentin Alkan, and Alexander Scriabin. Even two centuries after the composition of the two books of The Well-Tempered Clavier (give or take a few decades) they still held sway over composers’ imaginations. Of the 20th century composers, Rachmaninoff’s twenty-four preludes and Shostakovich’s opus 87 are the two most worthy to be named with Bach’s great “Forty-eight.” While the Chopin, Alkan, Scriabin and Shostakovich all set out with the purpose of providing a prelude (or étude) in each of the major and minor keys, and Shostakovich followed Bach’s example even more closely by composing complimentary fugues, Rachmaninoff, however, did not, and the idea of doing so seems to have occurred to him only after a majority of them had been composed.
>In order of composition, Rachmaninoff’s collection of twenty-four preludes began with the Prelude in C-sharp minor, the second piece of his Morceaux de fantaise, op. 3, published in 1892. Between 1901 and 1903, he composed ten more preludes, none of which were, perhaps incidentally, in C-sharp minor, and published as the Ten Preludes, op. 23. Perhaps here, or in the following years, Rachmaninoff decided to emulate the great composers before him. In 1910, thirteen more preludes appeared from Rachmaninoff’s pen, published as his opus 32, composed in the keys not yet utilized in the previous eleven, and thus completing the set. Given that these preludes were composed over nearly two decades, it will be no surprise that there is a progression of style from the earliest to the latest, and the preludes of opus 32 certainly possess a greater subtly of expression and complexity of harmony than the C-sharp minor Prelude or those of opus 23.Joseph DuBose
Another musical picture of spring, this prelude is so serene that, instead of providing a sustained middle section, Rachmaninov simply deviates to G minor for several measures. During the recapitulation, the melody ascends higher than before, allowing for a very gradual, seemingly reluctant descent. The rhythmically accompanying quintuplets continue all through the piece, creating a softly shifting sensation. Three simple closing G major chords emphasize the work's subtle purity.
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.
Classical Music | Piano Music
Sergei Rachmaninov
Prelude Op. 32, No. 5, in G Major Play
Recorded on 06/14/1989, uploaded on 02/10/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Though he was not the first to compose a collection pieces traversing the twenty-four major and minor keys, Johann Sebastian Bach certainly established the precedent and standard by which all other would be judged, and simultaneously offered the pianist a plentiful source of exercise and the composer a manual of composition and a point of origin for inspiration. Others followed in his footsteps—throughout the 19th century, most notably Frédéric Chopin, Charles-Valentin Alkan, and Alexander Scriabin. Even two centuries after the composition of the two books of The Well-Tempered Clavier (give or take a few decades) they still held sway over composers’ imaginations. Of the 20th century composers, Rachmaninoff’s twenty-four preludes and Shostakovich’s opus 87 are the two most worthy to be named with Bach’s great “Forty-eight.” While the Chopin, Alkan, Scriabin and Shostakovich all set out with the purpose of providing a prelude (or étude) in each of the major and minor keys, and Shostakovich followed Bach’s example even more closely by composing complimentary fugues, Rachmaninoff, however, did not, and the idea of doing so seems to have occurred to him only after a majority of them had been composed.
>In order of composition, Rachmaninoff’s collection of twenty-four preludes began with the Prelude in C-sharp minor, the second piece of his Morceaux de fantaise, op. 3, published in 1892. Between 1901 and 1903, he composed ten more preludes, none of which were, perhaps incidentally, in C-sharp minor, and published as the Ten Preludes, op. 23. Perhaps here, or in the following years, Rachmaninoff decided to emulate the great composers before him. In 1910, thirteen more preludes appeared from Rachmaninoff’s pen, published as his opus 32, composed in the keys not yet utilized in the previous eleven, and thus completing the set. Given that these preludes were composed over nearly two decades, it will be no surprise that there is a progression of style from the earliest to the latest, and the preludes of opus 32 certainly possess a greater subtly of expression and complexity of harmony than the C-sharp minor Prelude or those of opus 23. Joseph DuBose
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Another musical picture of spring, this prelude is so serene that, instead of providing a sustained middle section, Rachmaninov simply deviates to G minor for several measures. During the recapitulation, the melody ascends higher than before, allowing for a very gradual, seemingly reluctant descent. The rhythmically accompanying quintuplets continue all through the piece, creating a softly shifting sensation. Three simple closing G major chords emphasize the work's subtle purity.
More music by Sergei Rachmaninov
Romance, Op. 11 No. 5
Etude-Tableau in A minor, Op. 39, No. 6
Prelude Op. 3, No. 2, in c-sharp minor
Loneliness, Op. 21 No. 6
Prelude Op. 23, No. 10, in G-flat Major
Moment Musicaux Op. 16, No. 3
Prelude Op. 23 No. 5
Serenade, Op. 3
Moment Musicaux Op. 16, No. 4
Piano Concerto No. 3 in d minor, Op. 30
Performances by same musician(s)
Rhapsody in G minor, Op. 79, No. 2
Ballade No. 4 in f minor, Op. 52
Tarantella, from Venezia e Napoli
Mélodie d'Orfée (tr. Sgambati)
Canzona serenata, from Forgotten Motives Op. 38
Cordoba, Op. 232, No. 4
Gretchen am Spinnrade (tr. Liszt)
Mazurka in A-flat Major, Op. 41, No. 4
Hommage à Rameau, from Images, Book 1
Le rappel des oiseaux (Bird Calls)
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.