Composer

:

Dmitry Shostakovich

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Prelude & Fugue

Compose Date

:

1950 - 1951

Average_duration

:

155:12

Movement_count

:

48

Movement ....

Dmitry Shostakovich's "Preludes & Fugues (24), Op. 87" is a collection of 24 pieces for solo piano, composed between 1950 and 1951. The work was premiered in Moscow in 1952 by pianist Tatiana Nikolayeva, who had worked closely with Shostakovich during the composition process. The work is divided into two books, each containing 12 preludes and fugues. The preludes are short, improvisatory pieces that serve as introductions to the more structured fugues that follow. The fugues are based on traditional Baroque forms, with a subject introduced in the first voice and then imitated by the other voices in turn. Shostakovich's "Preludes & Fugues" is often compared to Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier," which also consists of 24 preludes and fugues. However, Shostakovich's work is more modern in its harmonies and rhythms, and often incorporates dissonance and unexpected tonal shifts. The first book of "Preludes & Fugues" begins with a prelude in C major, which sets the tone for the entire work with its simple, lyrical melody and gentle harmonies. The first fugue, in the same key, is more complex, with a subject that is developed through a series of intricate counterpoints. Other notable movements in the first book include the prelude in G minor, which features a haunting melody and a sense of melancholy, and the fugue in F-sharp major, which is one of the most technically challenging pieces in the entire work. The second book of "Preludes & Fugues" is generally considered to be more experimental and daring than the first. The prelude in B-flat minor, for example, features a dissonant, angular melody that is reminiscent of Shostakovich's more avant-garde works. The fugue in D major, on the other hand, is more playful and lighthearted, with a subject that is passed between the voices in a lively, syncopated rhythm. Overall, Shostakovich's "Preludes & Fugues" is a masterful work that showcases the composer's skill as both a traditionalist and an innovator. Its combination of traditional forms and modern harmonies and rhythms make it a unique and compelling addition to the piano repertoire.

More....