Prelude in Gb minor?

[mosis]

I'm aware that Rachmaninoff has a pretty well-known prelude in Gb minor, but I was thinking about this, and something doesn't work. The relative major key would be Bbb major, and I don't know of such a key existing. Maybe I've just messed up my relative keys, but is Gb minor in fact a common key?

[bernhard]

Er...

I am not aware of any Rach's prelude in Gb minor.

He wrote one in Gb major (op. 23 no. 10) though.

However, it would not be impossible to write a piece in Gb minor, and you are right, the relative major would be Bbb major. These of course would the enharmonic keys of F# minor and A major, which have three sharps in the key signature, as opposed to Gb minor and Bbb Major which would have 5 flats and two double flats in the key signature. So anyone contemplating a piece for the piano in Gb minor would be better off writing it in F# minor.

Rachmaninoff has a prelude in F# minor: Op. 23 no. 1

He also has one in G# minor: op. 36 no. 2.

Maybe you mean one of these?

Best wishes.
Bernhard.

[mosis]

>_<

Yeah, it turns out the Prelude I'm thinking about is the G# minor one. Sorry about my ignorance, I thought it was Gb minor for the longest time, but I never actually bothered to check it. :/

[Its_about_nothing]

He also has one in G# minor: op. 36 no. 2.

Op. 32 No. 12, right?

[bernhard]

Op. 32 No. 12, right?

Absolutely!

Oh no , my mind is going! (op, 36 no. 2 is the sonata!)

Best wishes,
Bernhard