1) S. Rachmaninoff, Prelude in G minor, Op. 23 no. 5
This piece is part of a set of 24 preludes in all 12 minor and major keys. The piece begins in the style of a march with a lovely lyrical middle section, then ending with the march again. I've included 2 versions: one with music and one with a live performer.
Sergei Rachmaninoff Prelude in G minor, Op 23, No 5 Nikolai Lugansky, piano
The russian pianist Boris Berezovsky performs this prelude op. 23 no. 5 in G minor by Sergueï Rachmaninov. Sergei Rachmaninoff completed his Prelude in G minor, Op. 23, No. 5 in 1901. It was included in his Opus 23 set of ten preludes despite having been written two years earlier than the other nine.
Questions
- What is the time signature of the piece?
- Which do you prefer more: the beginning/ending section (fast march) or the middle section (slow, lyrical, romantic)? Why?
2) C. Debussy, The Snow is Dancing, from Children's Corner Suite
The title of this piece is describes itself! This is common in the Impressionistic period, where composers often aim to create imagery with their music. 2 versions are included: one with the music, and the other with snow pictures for your enjoyment!
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) From Children's Corner: The snow is dancing Alfred Cortot (1877-1962), piano Rec. 1928 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How many children, kept home from the cold, have watched at the window, their foreheads glued to the glass, the enchanting fascination of falling snow?
"Children's Corner (L. 113) is a six-movement suite for solo piano by Claude Debussy. It was published by Durand in 1908, and was given its world première in Paris by Harold Bauer on December 18 of that year. In 1911, an orchestration of the work by Debussy's friend André Caplet received its première and was subsequently published.
Questions
- How is the imagery of falling snow shown in the piece? How does the composer use the music to create a falling snow effect?
- Create your own musical idea(s) for falling snow on the piano. How would you play gently falling snow? How would you show a blizzard of snow?
This listening activity is brought to you courtesy of Carlo Santos