Chopin

Chopin

1. Background

   • written by Chopin
     • Raindrop
   • piano prelude
     • a prelude is a brief opening piece that sets the mood and linked to a following fugue in the same key
       • However, Chopin preludes are all stand alone preludes, each in a different major or minor key. Raindrop is one of the longest preludes lasting 89 bars.
       • a prelude is an introductory piece usually linked with another movement eg. fugue. However, the prelude was also a stand alone short composition.
   • it was written in 1838 but first performed in 1839
   • the main key is Db major
   • romantic period
     • 1800-1900
       • Love, freedom, death, legend, myths, tragedy

2. Harmony/tonality

   • Section A is Db major
     • Section B is C#minor
   • Diatonic harmonies
     • Starting to move away and introduces some chromatic harmonies
   • Random E major chord in B section
     • Gives interest

3. Rhythm/metre/tempo

   • 4/4
   • rubato timing-free
   • syncopation
   • quite slow
   • rit at end (coda)
     • slows down
   • dotted rhythms

4. dynamics

   • section A is quiet p
     • section B starts a whisper (sotto voce) but becomes very loud ff
       • return A is very quiet pp
   • lots of crescendos and diminuendos
   • expressive dynamics
   • ends very quiet pp

5. texture

   • mainly homophonic
   • small monophonic section (codetta)
   • In the B section there is a thicker texture , more use of bold chords and is played in an octave- 2 notes apart

6. Structure

   • It is in ternary form. ABA
   • The B section is longer
   • The return A is shorter and it has a codetta

7. Melody

   • Long flowing melody lines
   • A. Right hand melody. B. Left hand melody
   • Ornaments. Turns 10 note turn bar 80. Grace notes, acciaccatura
   • Dominant pedal throughout ab and g#