Post on 24-Dec-2015
F. Chopin: Prelude No.15 in D flat major,
Op.28(also known as the ‘raindrop’ prelude)
AIMS - In the study of this set work you will learn about:
The Romantic period and the main hallmarks of the style
Some background to the life and works of Frederic Chopin
The ‘prelude’
ABA (ternary) form
How the prelude is constructed, through an analysis of the music
The key features of the music
The Romantic Era (c. 1800 – 1900)
Piano Prelude No.15 in D flat major, Op. 28
Known as the ‘Raindrop’ prelude
The piece is by Chopin
The Romantic Era (c. 1800-1900)
An era reflecting an interest in ideas inspired by
nature magic the supernatural mystery‘Romantic’ music is concerned with expressing
a intense feelings and emotionsMusic from this time often tells a story.E.g. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Dukas
Features of the Romantic style
The music often tells a story (Programme music)Long, sustained melody lines. In piano music,
extensive use of sustaining pedal helps build the sound.
Chromatic harmony; Use of a wide range of chords and chromatic harmony.
Musical structures tend to be freer and less symmetrical than in the classical style
Contrasts in keys, melodies and dynamics are often very dramatic
What is a Romantic Prelude?
A short piece, often for piano....
...that sticks to one or two
ideas or moods....
....it generally features a small
number of rhythmic and
melodic motifs
that recur through the
piece....
....and has an improvisatory
feeling like someone telling a
story
Frederic Chopin
Born in Poland in 1810
Studied music as a pianist and composer
Travelled widely in Europe giving concerts.
Composed music to play to the public at his concerts
He composed mainly solo pieces for the piano
Died at age 39 in 1849.
Frederic Chopin
Moved to Paris –
Had a succession of love affairs
9 year relationship with
Aurore Dudevant
Had poor health -
tuberculosis
Frederic Chopin
1838 – moved to Majorca for
health reasons
Frederic and Aurore went to live in an old monastery at Valdemossa
He wrote the ‘raindrop’ prelude at Valdemossa ....
......during a storm
Raindrop Prelude
The title of the piece refers to the dripping of raindrops from the roof
of the monastery.
These are represented by the continuously repeating As in the first section and the continuously repeating
G#s in the middle section
A A A A A ..........
Raindrop Prelude – Basic Points
Metre/Time signature - The prelude is in 4/4 time
Structure – the movement is in ABA form (ternary form) with a short codetta
Raindrop Prelude – Basic Points
Texture - is mainly homophonic, mostly melody and accompaniment.
Use of sustaining pedal to hold on notes = press pedal down and hold = release pedal
Raindrop Prelude – Basic Points
Tonality/Key- The first section of the prelude is in the key of D flat
major (5 flats). The middle section of the piece is in C# minor (4
sharps) The end of the piece returns to D flat major (5 flats). The piece uses some chromatic notes in the melody The piece uses a wide range of chromatic chords. Prelude ends with a perfect cadence in D flat major.
Raindrop Prelude – basic points
Tempo – The prelude is marked sostenuto (sustained). It is basically played slow throughout The player is expected to play with use of rubato
style This means the piece is played with a slight
speeding up and slowing down within the basic slow tempo of the piece (for expressive effect)
There is a slight pause on the first note There is a pause on each of the last few notes The music slows down at the end (Ritenuto)
Raindrop Prelude – Basic Points
Dynamics – The first (A) section is quiet (p).
The middle (B) section starts quietly, then gradually crescendos to very loud (ff)then gets softer (dimenuendo) . These dynamics repeat and then...
the ending (A and Codetta) is very quiet (pp)
Structure of ‘Raindrop’ prelude
Section Key Length
A (bars 1-27) D Major 27 bars
B (bars 28-75) C# minor (tonic minor)
47 bars
A (bars 75 -81) D Major 6 bars
Codetta (bars 81-89)
D Major 8 bars
Ternary form
A B A + Codetta
Mood swings?
Section Mood
A (bars 1-27) Quiet, sad, calm, peaceful. /Major keyThe calm before the storm? Repeated A flats representing raindrops? • The pitch of the notes are quite high in this section.• Quiet dynamics (p)• Melody played mainly in the right hand.
B (bars 28-75)
Music becomes more stormy, angry, violent / minor key
• Melody played mostly in the left hand now.• Pitch of notes starts quite low• Repeated G# s get gradually louder – raining harder?• cresc. = crescendo - Storm approaching?• Texture becomes more dense. • The music builds in intensity twice to ff (height of
storm?) before starting to become more peaceful. Storm passing?
A (bars 75 -81)
Returns to a more quiet peaceful mood like at the start. Light rain?
Codetta (bars 81-89)
Repeating notes stop at bar 84 – sun coming out for a moment ?Piece slows down at the end and finishes pp.