Raindrop Prelude - Chopin

Raindrop Prelude - Chopin

1. Dynamics

   • Subtle shadings of dynamics in A section
   • Turbulent dynamics in B section - lots of crescendos
   • sotto voce (in a hushed tone)
   • smorzando in coda (dying away)
   • Piece ends with very soft dynamics (pianissimo)

2. Texture

   • mainly melody dominated homophony
   • small moment of monophony at start of coda that highlights the highest note in the piece
   • pedals become inner and inverted in B section
   • chordal texture in B section

3. Melody

   • long and developed 8-bar melodic lines
   • falling melodic lines - melancholy
   • Ornaments
     • accaciaturas
     • Turns that become more chromatic throughout the piece
   • cantabile - lyrical
   • A section melody played by right hand
   • B section melody played by left hand

4. Harmony/Tonality

   • Modulations
     • B section modulates to C# minor - enharmonic tonic minor
     • A1 section/coda modulates back to tonic key Dd major
     • E major in middle of B section - doubling in E major chords emphasises new key
   • mainly diatonic harmony
   • Perfect cadence finishes the prelude
   • Tonic key: Dd major - dark
   • Pedals - reflects raindrops
     • dominant Ab pedal in A section
     • dominant G# pedal continues in B section as inverted pedal - sounds more insistent
     • inner and inverted pedals used throughout B section
   • chromatic colour in A section harmony

5. Rhythm/Metre

   • 4/4 time signature
   • Tempo: sostenuto
   • Rubato is implied - piece is usually played expressively
   • Slentando + ritenuto before coda

6. Structure

   • Ternary form
   • Repeat of A section is short - could be described as rounded binary form
   • periodic phrasing

7. Instrumentation

   • Written for modern piano
     • Allows for larger range of dynamics
     • Use of sostenuto pedal throughout the piece

8. About the Piece

   • 19th Century - Romantic era
   • Prelude: a brief opening piece usually linked to a following fugue in the same key

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