Explore: the prelude
Whether for orchestra, piano or guitar, preludes are a favourite of many composers. They are short pieces without a fixed form which allow for creativity to flow without restrictions. Explore the many facets of the prelude in this playlist.
Read more…The very first preludes go back all the way to the Renaissance, when they were usually written for organ or string instruments and preceded another piece of music. Preludes for keyboard developed significantly during the Baroque period when they served as introductions to fugues, most notably in J.S. Bach’s iconic "Well-Tempered Clavier" and the preludes written for harpsichord by Louis Couperin. During the 18th and 19th centuries, the prelude was used as a free form of expression and became a preferred format for many composers, particularly when writing for the piano.
This selection of preludes includes some of the most well-known compositions in this genre by Chopin, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff, as well as a wide range of works from the 20th century.