Chopin Prelude 20
As long as I’m on this Chopin prelude kick….
This piece is easy to sink one’s teeth into, I think, very dramatic and engaging on the first listen. But subsequent digging reveals a lot of subtlety in the way the different voices move, the modulation and chromaticism, the emotional shape. It has a fascinatingly unusual structure: many piece start softly and work to a crescendo, but this one starts loud and fades to a whisper. Many pieces in binary form have an initial section that’s repeated twice (AAB) — like this or this or both the first and second larger sections of this taken individually — but this prelude repeats only the second part (ABB). What fascinating fellow Chopin was.
But enough with the analytical rambling. What a fine piece.
After next Tuesday’s recording, I’ll be switching to a once-a-week-Tuesday schedule, at least for a while. I want to focus on composition for a while, and I’m behind on some of my other projects. Fear not! Updates will keep coming; “Paul gets a job” armageddon is not yet upon us.
Comments
A nice demonstration, this, of your setup’s ability to create and pick up extreme pianissimos. Makes me aware of how nice it would/will be to have
(a) a new computer
(b) a CD of this and your other recent tracks
since with my current, very noisy computer and crappy Altec Lansing speakers I can hardly hear the pianissimo passages unless I lean in right next to the speakers. (I wish to reiterate that this is NOT YOUR FAULT; the recording’s dynamic range makes quite clear that the levels are fine and the problem is on my end).
Well, the awesomeness of a new computer I can definitely vouch for. But I’m telling you, Nick, get yourself a pair of Grado SR-60 or SR-80 headphones – you won’t regret it. They have a silky, ultra-transparent sound that actually reminds me a great deal of those electrostatic speakers you have.
I think there’s enough interest in CDs that I’m going to put something together, so stay tuned for that.
Did you play a Chopin Prelude?! Prelude #20!? That was awsome, if you played in I salute you. GENIUS!!! GEEENNNIIUUUEESSS….wait GEENNIIUUSS there we go. ^-^
(sorry for my stupidity, I love being stupid) I honestly love this….this work of art! I know of a handful of genius’ besides Chopin. Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Chopin, Vivaldi, and Mozart. Those are the only genius’ I take the time to listen to. I hope you like their music aswell Paul.
Keep this sight running I love the music it plays.
Curious: I was getting on to say “The opening chords of this give support to your recent encouragement to Nick to buy some Grados” (mine are the SR 80s) when I saw that it was the other end of the same piece that was under discussion earlier. Through the headphones, the bass end of the first chords brings back images of your living room almost synesthetically.
Hah! I sent a poem because of this prelude! Now excuse me, I am going to listen to this prelude…again! *IT’S JUST SO GOOD!….STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT!*
I guess I’m still a newbie to the piano… Only played for 4 years, but Chopin still intrigues me.
I just recently did a Prelude of his in Emoll, and I did it to death. Now to move onto the Emoll’s big brother, the Cmoll. =P
The chords I can take, as well as the melodic rythm, it just feels so strange that the piece starts at its’ climax then dwindles down. Seems to me he started on it then cut the beginning! =P
Oh well, I’m going to get started, wish me luck! =D
Hi Paul (and readers)
I play guitar, and have just picked up this Chopin prelude by coincidence (there was a tab on the Web.) I don’t even play classical, but I love Chopin, and this is of course gold.
Wonderful website.
Raz Elmaleh
I listened to this on my SR80s the first go-around and thought what an amazing depth of sound they capture on this piece, and then read the comments, and… yeah. Vindication. Unfortunately mine are starting to grapple so I need to hunt down a replacement soon.
Regardless, great site and great music! I have a version done by some bloke named Evginy Kissin, and I far prefer the funeral march pace you take it at over his rushed interpretation. Keep it up!
In the 1945 film “A Picture of Dorian Gray” the title character plays a piece he refers to as a Prelude by Frederic Chopin. I have yet to find out which one. The selection I have just listened to was wonderful, but I would love to know what the other one was. Any ideas?
Great website.
In Dorian Gray 1945 movie, The prelude used is n° 24 in D-Minor (op. 28)
I play the prelude, my wife plays the prelude, but you play it like I’ve never heard it before… beautiful.
This really is a great recording! This is my most beloved Chopin prelude. I’m actually studying it myself right now.
I love that you really give the cords the time they so obviously deserve.
greetz
Its sooo beautiful and so emotional
Beautiful.. You have inspired me to learn this piece on the guitar.
- Mark B.
I thoroughly enjoyed your performance of the C minor prelude. You are right about me needing new speakers, as on my computer the final chord was inaudible. I have heard it played forte. Is it incorrect to do so? I would very much like to know that! Thanks.
winn simm: It’s not marked forte in my edition. But the ultimately question of which it’s “correct” really is up to you. If it works, it is correct. If it doesn’t work, it’s wrong. That’s all there is to it.
On the speakers, same advice as I gave to Nick: get yourself some Grado headphones.
Hi, and great job!
I play this one a little differantly though, since on the last six measures there is a crescendo in my version of the music. That way it finishes a little stronger, with the finishing cord with a little accent. I plan on putting my recording on youtube, so maybe you can see mine sometime.
I liked this one alot though, keep up the great work!
Bob: The original editions disagree on the crescendo in bar 11. (See the notes in the back of the Paderewski edition if you have it.) Regardless, it’s important not to get too literalistic or sacrosanct about the score; it’s just a score. I actually start the crescendo you’re talking about as marked, but then end it “morendo.” That’s how I feel it. One can, of course, make it work in a multitude of ways!
I really admire this, I mean it really looks interesting! Very nice write up. Anyways, its a Great post.
very cool
I listened to this piece a couple of minutes ago on an internet radio station and I just had to listen to it again. So that’s how I ended up here. I must say that it is quite solemn, revere, pleasant and refined. It is an awesome rendition of the original work. Very well done!
I like this music. Thanks for sharing it with us.