What are foreplay?

The question "what is the prelude" is sooner or later asked by connoisseurs of classical music. In translation from the Latin "preludo" means "introduction". This ancient genre of music allows the use of various interpretations and original author's decisions.

A bit of history

Answering the question "what are the preludes", I want to cover all the curious facts associated with this term. This musical genre originated in the fifteenth century. Initially, the word foreplay was a small instrumental introduction to a larger work. Often it was improvisational in nature. Not limited to strict canons and rules, the introduction allowed the performer to fully demonstrate his virtuosic skills. It introduced the listener into the world of ideas, images and moods of the future work. A little later, foreplay begins to write for operas and suites. At the same time, they retain the features of improvisation and characteristic figurative texture. These features can be traced in preludes of the eighteenth century, which at this time already stand out as an independent genre. From this time until today, these musical compositions find their embodiment in the work of many composers.

I.S. Bach

Covering the question "what are the preludes", it is impossible not to mention the creativity of IS Bach. It was in his writings that a stable cycle consisting of two plays was formed. As a rule, the freely unfolding musical idea of foreplay in it contrasts vividly with the strict, clear organization of the material in the fugue. Truly an encyclopedia of the genre can be considered a collection of works by Bach called "Well Tempered Clavier." It included forty-eight fugues and preludes, various in content and character: mournful, scherzoznye, concentrated, solemn, dancing, etc. Subsequently, some composers begin to introduce new features into this genre (Shchedrin, Chopin, Shostakovich). Prelude in their work acts as an independent work.

F. Chopin

Disclosing the multifaceted expressive possibilities of this instrumental miniature, Chopin, it can be said, gave this genre a "second birth". That is why, examining the question "what are the preludes", it is necessary to consecrate the work of this composer. His instrumental works written in this genre are distinguished by the unexpectedness of emotional contrasts, uniqueness and richness of experiences. Chopin wrote twenty-four preludes.

S.V. Rachmaninov

In the works of this composer are reflected a variety of images, ranging from intimate lyrical and ending with monumental-epic and tragic. Rachmaninov's preludes are no longer miniatures, with their characteristic chamberiness, but rather large-scale concert works in which the artist uses the symphonic principle of development. Another characteristic feature is polymelodism, when the accompaniment and solo are presented as independent melodic lines.