Prelude
Baroque works
Definition
A short piece that serves as an introduction or stands alone as an independent work. Typically improvisatory in character, often exploring a single texture, figuration, or harmonic idea throughout.
Historical Context
Originally a brief improvised passage played before a larger work to test the tuning of an instrument and establish the key. J.S. Bach elevated the prelude to an independent art form in the Well-Tempered Clavier. Chopin severed its introductory function entirely, composing 24 standalone preludes (Op. 28) each as a concentrated study in a single mood. Debussy's two books of Préludes pushed the form into atmospheric, programmatic territory.
Works (30)
- España: I. Preludio, Op. 165 Key E♭ major
- Cantos de España: I. Preludio, Op. 232 Key G minor
- English Suite No. 1 in A major, BWV 806: Prelude Key A major
- English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807: Prelude Key A minor
- English Suite No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808: Prelude Key G minor
- English Suite No. 4 in F major, BWV 809: Prelude Key F major
- English Suite No. 5 in E minor, BWV 810: Prelude Key E minor
- English Suite No. 6 in D minor, BWV 811: Prelude Key D minor
- Prelude in C minor, BWV 999 Key C minor
- Prelude in A major, BWV 864, WTC Book I No. 19 Key A major
- Prelude in A minor, BWV 865, WTC Book I No. 20 Key A minor
- Prelude in A♭ major, BWV 862, WTC Book I No. 17 Key A♭ major
- Prelude in B major, BWV 868, WTC Book I No. 23 Key B major
- Prelude in B minor, BWV 869, WTC Book I No. 24 Key B minor
- Prelude in B♭ major, BWV 866, WTC Book I No. 21 Key B♭ major
- Prelude in B♭ minor, BWV 867, WTC Book I No. 22 Key B♭ minor
- Prelude in C major, BWV 846, WTC Book I No. 1 Key C major
- Prelude in C minor, BWV 847, WTC Book I No. 2 Key C minor
- Prelude in C♯ major, BWV 848, WTC Book I No. 3 Key C♯ major
- Prelude in C♯ minor, BWV 849, WTC Book I No. 4 Key C♯ minor
- Prelude in D major, BWV 850, WTC Book I No. 5 Key D major
- Prelude in D minor, BWV 851, WTC Book I No. 6 Key D minor
- Prelude in E major, BWV 854, WTC Book I No. 9 Key E major
- Prelude in E minor, BWV 855, WTC Book I No. 10 Key E minor
- Prelude in E♭ major, BWV 852, WTC Book I No. 7 Key E♭ major
- Prelude in E♭ minor, BWV 853, WTC Book I No. 8 Key E♭ minor
- Prelude in F major, BWV 856, WTC Book I No. 11 Key F major
- Prelude in F minor, BWV 857, WTC Book I No. 12 Key F minor
- Prelude in F♯ major, BWV 858, WTC Book I No. 13 Key F♯ major
- Prelude in F♯ minor, BWV 859, WTC Book I No. 14 Key F♯ minor