Composer

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Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

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Keyboard

Style

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Prelude

Compose Date

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1932 - 1933

Average_duration

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0:45

Dmitry Shostakovich's Prelude for piano in C minor, Op. 34/20, was composed in 1933 and premiered the same year in Moscow. The piece is part of a set of 24 Preludes for piano, which Shostakovich composed between 1932 and 1933. The preludes were inspired by the preludes of Chopin and Rachmaninoff, but Shostakovich's preludes are more dissonant and experimental. The Prelude in C minor is the twentieth prelude in the set and is one of the most famous and frequently performed. The piece is in ternary form, with a melancholic and brooding A section in C minor and a more hopeful and lyrical B section in C major. The A section is characterized by a descending chromatic melody in the right hand, accompanied by a simple and repetitive left-hand pattern. The B section features a flowing and lyrical melody in the right hand, accompanied by arpeggiated chords in the left hand. The Prelude in C minor is a prime example of Shostakovich's early style, which is characterized by dissonant harmonies, angular melodies, and rhythmic complexity. The piece is also notable for its use of ostinato, or a repeating pattern, which is a common feature in Shostakovich's music. The Prelude in C minor is a haunting and introspective piece that reflects the turbulent political and social climate of the time in which it was composed.

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