Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Prelude

Compose Date

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1932 - 1933

Average_duration

:

2:02

Dmitry Shostakovich's Prelude for piano in A flat major, Op. 34/17, was composed in 1933 and premiered the same year in Moscow. It 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 style is distinctly modern and often dissonant. The Prelude in A flat major is the seventeenth in the set and is one of the more lyrical and romantic pieces in the collection. It is written in a slow tempo and has a flowing, singing melody that is accompanied by arpeggiated chords in the left hand. The piece is in ternary form, with a middle section that is more agitated and dissonant than the opening and closing sections. One of the characteristics of Shostakovich's preludes is their brevity. Most of the preludes are less than two minutes long, and the Prelude in A flat major is no exception. Despite its short length, the piece is emotionally powerful and showcases Shostakovich's ability to create a wide range of moods and textures with just a few musical gestures. The Prelude in A flat major has been performed and recorded by many pianists, including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Sviatoslav Richter, and Emil Gilels. It is a popular choice for recitals and competitions, and its popularity is a testament to Shostakovich's skill as a composer and his ability to create music that is both technically challenging and emotionally engaging.

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