Prelude In F-sharp Minor (Rachmaninoff) on:
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The Prelude in F-sharp minor, Op. 23, No. 1 is a composition by
Measure 2
Measure 8 The Prelude proceeds from
Measure 6
Measure 24
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff; in Russian pre-revolutionary script. (28 March 1943) was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and Conducting, conductor. Rachmaninoff is widely considered one of the finest pianists of his day and, as a compos ...
completed and premiered in 1903.''Id.'' It is one of ten preludes composed by Rachmaninoff in 1901 and 1903.
Structure
The prelude is ternary andhomophonic
Homophony and Homophonic are from the Greek language, Greek ὁμόφωνος (''homóphōnos''), literally 'same sounding,' from ὁμός (''homós''), "same" and φωνή (''phōnē''), "sound". It may refer to:
*Homophones − words with the s ...
in nature. The "A" section (measures 1–13) introduces the first theme, section "B" (13–30) introduces a new set of variations, and measures 30–41 mark an altered return to the original "A" theme. Each of the larger ternary sections contains its set of "micro-variations" marked by changes in note values, dynamics, and rhythm. For instance, the "A" theme, introduced in measures 1 and 2, is varied in measure 8.
Measure 2
Measure 8 The Prelude proceeds from
F-sharp minor
F-sharp minor is a minor scale based on F, consisting of the pitches F, G, A, B, C, D, and E. Its key signature has three sharps. Its relative major is A major and its parallel major is F-sharp major (or enharmonically G-flat major).
...
to the relative major (A major
A major is a major scale based on A, with the pitches A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. Its key signature has three sharps. Its relative minor is F-sharp minor and its parallel minor is A minor.
The A major scale is:
Changes needed for the ...
) in measure 13, and returns to the tonic in measure 30.
A "hidden" chromatic
Diatonic and chromatic are terms in music theory that are used to characterize scales. The terms are also applied to musical instruments, intervals, chords, notes, musical styles, and kinds of harmony. They are very often used as a pair, es ...
sequence in the "A" section occurs in the bass line on the second beat of measure 1 and the first beat of measures 2–6. This sequence is later revealed as the basis for the "B" theme, first introduced transitorily as a modulation between the "A" and "B" sections. Compare measures 6 and 24:
Measure 6
Measure 24
References
External links
{{Portalbar, Classical Music Preludes by Sergei Rachmaninoff Compositions in F-sharp minor