3 Favorite Chopin Preludes

[pencilart3]

Also please include why! It can be for any reason - simplicity, difficulty, or just your personal favorite!

Mine is No. 11, an awesome little piece, not difficult, just simple and amazing.

I also like:

No. 1: Overall beautiful with 2 melody lines interplaying with each other.

No. 16: Difficult, fiery.... sweet

No. 23: Nice little piece - absolutely BEAUTIFUL

[alistaircrane4]

I couldn't pick a top favorite but I can do a top few which I love.

Op.28 No.3- I love the sound of sixths. This prelude has a nice amount of them and the piece reminds me much of spring time.
Op.28 No.6- I like that the left hand has the melody and the piece has a very good structure.
Op.28 No.10- Such a short and quick piece yet filled with such beauty it's a very ephemeral piece.
Op.28 No.13- Really love the syntax of this piece. Has a very hidden melancholy which I find moving.
Op.28 No.19- I'm glad that it is nicknamed "Heartfelt happiness" because it is true this piece is incredibly happy and joyous. The arrangement of notes almost look like wings too which is fitting because the piece is very flighty and soaring.
Op.45- I know it wasn't listed but it is a Prelude. This piece has an almost Nocturne like quality that fits the piece well. It is interesting that Chopin cycles through many keys in this one but none of them abrupt or harsh. It all seems to just fit into place.

[chopinlover01]

The f minor prelude- each run builds on the last as the runs build on the gorgeous melody.

[pencilart3]

You have both picked wonderful preludes. Sorry I named it "3 favorite chopin preludes" I can't edit that now

[outin]

I cannot tell my favorites right now, but I can tell you that whoever invented such idiotic names for them should be shot! And those who use them deserve a spanking 

I know, the inventers are mostly dead already, but a little more cannot hurt...

[pencilart3]

I cannot tell my favorites right now, but I can tell you that whoever invented such idiotic names for them should be shot! And those who use them deserve a spanking 

I know, the inventers are mostly dead already, but a little more cannot hurt...

What the broccoli dude take a chill pill! I didn't know you wanted to shoot Hans von Bülow. And yikes I was about to go to bed when I read your post... i'll be up for a while that was creepy  Could you just pick a few or your favorites? I'm just curious. Ignore the names if you want.

[j_menz]

I cannot tell my favorites right now, but I can tell you that whoever invented such idiotic names for them should be shot! And those who use them deserve a spanking 

Hans von Bulow for these. If you want some really silly nicknames, try Cortot's.

[pencilart3]

Hans von Bulow for these. If you want some really silly nicknames, try Cortot's.

HAHAHA ikr!!!! Just take a look at the first one... "Feverish anticipation of loved ones". I mean, dude when I think about my crush, this song is not exactly what comes to mind..... HAHAHA

Or... "Sensational memories like perfume run through my mind"... "The snow falls, the wind screams, and the storm rages; yet in my sad heart, the tempest is the worst to behold"... "Rockets that fall back down to earth"..... you get the picture... so j_menz which do you like best?

[outin]

What the broccoli dude take a chill pill! I didn't know you wanted to shoot Hans von Bülow. And yikes I was about to go to bed when I read your post... i'll be up for a while that was creepy  Could you just pick a few or your favorites? I'm just curious. Ignore the names if you want.

Well, you exposed me to them first thing in the morning, what do you expect?? 

Anyway, how could I pick a few of my facorites? That would be about half of the set

It's much easier to name the ones I don't like...1,3,5,11,15,16,19,23

[j_menz]

It's much easier to name the ones I don't like...1,3,5,11,15,16,19,23

A phobia of primes?

I personally prefer the slower ones, which I find to be generally true where it comes to ole Fred.

[outin]

A phobia of primes?

I do have 15 and 16 on the list as well 

[visitor]

I can can only really pick 1

This is an interesting question to me. It's asking me I pick my favorite I a list of pieces I don't care much for.  Sorta like saying here is food you don't like much, pick the one you like most hah

I don't hate Freddy's preludes it's just I am at a point in my aesthetic tastes development that his style is tiresome to me in a lot of ways .  Still the one Of the lot I can stand the longest also happens I be the "sleeper " of the list.  

That little a major one no 7.  Maybe because it ends before it gets on my nerves.  But the more I read and study it and listen to it , the more it pulls me In.

I recall there was a pretty famous pianist that had this as one of his favorite encores, played it for years and years, I believe to the point that he probably knew the piece better and could play it better than Chopin himself could have ( after all many composers especially high volume and genius ones pen them down and move on to the next and never give much more thought to it) so a specialist playing this little half page prelude for decades could very expectedly understand it better than even the one who wrote it.

Of the modern versions on the net , this one is nice. And who doesn't like a little vintage Igoshina

I am also speaking out of practicality as I am I finishing up learning a modern prelude heavily influenced by this one.  

Also the alternate  names are stupid.  Just about as bad as the nicknames for the etudes and Beethoven sonatas.

[pencilart3]

Well, you exposed me to them first thing in the morning, what do you expect?? 

Anyway, how could I pick a few of my facorites? That would be about half of the set

It's much easier to name the ones I don't like...1,3,5,11,15,16,19,23

WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU NOT LIKE ABOUT 1 3 5  16 19 AND 23? Those are my favorite 6 preludes

A phobia of primes?

Wow... clever

I can can only really pick 1

This is an interesting question to me. It's asking me I pick my favorite I a list of pieces I don't care much for.  Sorta like saying here is food you don't like much, pick the one you like most hah

I don't hate Freddy's preludes it's just I am at a point in my aesthetic tastes development that his style is tiresome to me in a lot of ways .  Still the one Of the lot I can stand the longest also happens I be the "sleeper " of the list. 

That little a major one no 7.  Maybe because it ends before it gets on my nerves.  But the more I read and study it and listen to it , the more it pulls me In.

I recall there was a pretty famous pianist that had this as one of his favorite encores, played it for years and years, I believe to the point that he probably knew the piece better and could play it better than Chopin himself could have ( after all many composers especially high volume and genius ones pen them down and move on to the next and never give much more thought to it) so a specialist playing this little half page prelude for decades could very expectedly understand it better than even the one who wrote it.

Of the modern versions on the net , this one is nice. And who doesn't like a little vintage Igoshina

I am also speaking out of practicality as I am I finishing up learning a modern prelude heavily influenced by this one.   

Also the alternate  names are stupid.  Just about as bad as the nicknames for the etudes and Beethoven sonatas.

I'm not sure you could say anyone "understood" the piece better than Chopin himself. After all, he did DECIDE WHAT THE MUSIC SHOULD BE, and while I understand what you mean about rushing on to the next prelude, I think perhaps many people have spent more time on 28/7 than Chopin, but imo, no one understands it better.

[visitor]

WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU NOT LIKE ABOUT 1 3 5  16 19 AND 23? Those are my favorite 6 preludes

Wow... clever

I'm not sure you could say anyone "understood" the piece better than Chopin himself. After all, he did DECIDE WHAT THE MUSIC SHOULD BE, and while I understand what you mean about rushing on to the next prelude, I think perhaps many people have spent more time on 28/7 than Chopin, but imo, no one understands it better.

i beg to differ. that is not to say the composer doesn't know the work intimately, however a lifetime spent studying and performing a work can give a specialist/performer insights that may not have been on the forefront of a composer's mind.

i mean look at the Scriabin op. 28, a masterpiece from a genius from a period in his life where his output spiked, and all around that time of high quality (it ismy favrote of the Scrabin sonatas btw, though not considered a sonata, by form/construction it clearly is).
there is a documented story about a friend of Scriabin discussing the work and later he asked Scriabin himself about the Fantasie, which Scriabin quickly balked back, "what I wrote a Fantasie"?     I stand my believe there are times a performer can know more about a work than a composer. not common, not always, not likely, but happens. especially in something right inthe middle of a high out put period of a high volume composer.

no worries , we don't have to agree, you don't have to be right, i don't either, it's must my view on it, i'm not in an uproar if someone on the interwebz doesn't agree.
 

[mjames]

Some people just get riled up when someone questions the unfathomable greatness of their God almighty Chopin.

[pencilart3]

Some people just get riled up when someone questions the unfathomable greatness of their God almighty Chopin.

Wow.... ok Chopin is not god though. He's another person. And if you were referring to me getting riled up, I'm not I just think it's interesting to have good discussions without people saying that "Chopin is the almight god" or "you're getting riled up".

i beg to differ. that is not to say the composer doesn't know the work intimately, however a lifetime spent studying and performing a work can give a specialist/performer insights that may not have been on the forefront of a composer's mind.

i mean look at the Scriabin op. 28, a masterpiece from a genius from a period in his life where his output spiked, and all around that time of high quality (it ismy favrote of the Scrabin sonatas btw, though not considered a sonata, by form/construction it clearly is).
there is a documented story about a friend of Scriabin discussing the work and later he asked Scriabin himself about the Fantasie, which Scriabin quickly balked back, "what I wrote a Fantasie"?     I stand my believe there are times a performer can know more about a work than a composer. not common, not always, not likely, but happens. especially in something right inthe middle of a high out put period of a high volume composer.

no worries , we don't have to agree, you don't have to be right, i don't either, it's must my view on it, i'm not in an uproar if someone on the interwebz doesn't agree.
 

Haha that's interesting about Scriabin not even knowing he wrote that piece...but at the time of writing, I'm thinking he would DEFINITELY know what emotion he was trying to convey. I mean, he did choose those notes for a specific reason, correct? But I also understand what you mean. Perhaps the performer understands just as well what the composer was feeling at the time and forgot later.

[outin]

WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU NOT LIKE ABOUT 1 3 5  16 19 AND 23? Those are my favorite 6 preludes

Then I should ask what on earth do you like about them? 

Seems we are quite different...but no worry, I also like Chopin greatly, just not the same pieces 

[pencilart3]

Then I should ask what on earth do you like about them? 

Seems we are quite different...but no worry, I also like Chopin greatly, just not the same pieces 

Ok Cool

Well, I already wrote what I liked about 1, 11, 16, and 23.

3 is a very unique piece, I guess I just like the melody line and how they it is accompanied by a nice running left hand.

I really like 19 also, not quite as much but I think it's a cool idea, it's also really hard really really hard for people like me with small hands. I like the melodies of all these pieces. I also like 7 and kind of like 4. 4 is too popular. and way over played.

B.T.W., does anyone have the CD of Rafal Blechacz playing these preludes? They're all great! I would suggest it to anyone. I actually have the Chopin complete edition and his preludes are included in there.

[pencilart3]

And b.t.w., I will be in Europe for a month (and see mr. krystian zimerman play live!  ) So I will not be here for a while. I hope when I come back there will be a ton of votes! KEEP VOTING EVERYONE PLEASE!

[outin]

And b.t.w., I will be in Europe for a month (and see mr. krystian zimerman play live!  ) So I will not be here for a while. I hope when I come back there will be a ton of votes! KEEP VOTING EVERYONE PLEASE!

We do actually have internet here in Europe as well

[pencilart3]

We do actually have internet here in Europe as well

Lol I know I'm just not bringing my computer. Kind of hard to post piano street replies on a nook e reader. 

[outin]

Lol I know I'm just not bringing my computer. Kind of hard to post piano street replies on a nook e reader. 

Enjoy your trip and especially the concert! 

[themeandvariation]

No. 2 , No.14 , and opus 45…

[schumaniac]

3, 17, 23

[josh93248]

Oh Noah, will you EVER get over the preludes? 

But anyway... I love 1, 15 and Op 45.

[pencilart3]

Oh Noah, will you EVER get over the preludes? 

no

[josh93248]

no

They're a good selection of miniatures and I hope to play all of them sooner or later but perhaps you can expand yourself to some other worthy sets... The Bach 48, the Beethoven 32, the Liszt Rhapsodies, the Mozart Fantasias... Anything there appeal to you?

[pencilart3]

They're a good selection of miniatures and I hope to play all of them sooner or later but perhaps you can expand yourself to some other worthy sets... The Bach 48, the Beethoven 32, the Liszt Rhapsodies, the Mozart Fantasias... Anything there appeal to you?

no

[chopinlover01]

I love the preludes as a set, but one really should take a look at other repertoire besides Chopin.

[schumaniac]

no

why?

[kevonthegreatpianist]

I cannot tell my favorites right now, but I can tell you that whoever invented such idiotic names for them should be shot! And those who use them deserve a spanking 

I know, the inventers are mostly dead already, but a little more cannot hurt...

Ha, but Hans von Bulow is already dead. 



I like 28/1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 24, Op.45, and the Devil's Thrill prelude.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

I love the preludes as a set, but one really should take a look at other repertoire besides Chopin.

Like Godowosky's Etudes of Chopin Etudes. Sorry, I like Chopin too much....

[rubinsteinmad]

Ha, but Hans von Bulow is already dead. 



I like 28/1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 24, Op.45, and the Devil's Thrill prelude.

Ha no one likes #2...

[pencilart3]

Now that you brought this topic back up, as of now I don't like 11 or 23 very much at all. here's where I currently am:

1. 16
2. 1
3. 24
4. 17
5. 19
6. 15

Those are the ones I like all the rest are just OK for me.

[rubinsteinmad]

Now that you brought this topic back up, as of now I don't like 11 or 23 very much at all. here's where I currently am:

1. 16
2. 1
3. 24
4. 17
5. 19
6. 15

Those are the ones I like all the rest are just OK for me.

I don't like the Prelude #11 either, when it's played "correctly" 
But please, can you take 50 seconds to listen to Grigory Sokolov playing the ENTIRE prelude? There's a part I REALLY like, and only Sokolov brings it out.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

Ha no one likes #2...

The second prelude is boring.

[pencilart3]

I don't like the Prelude #11 either, when it's played "correctly" 
But please, can you take 50 seconds to listen to Grigory Sokolov playing the ENTIRE prelude? There's a part I REALLY like, and only Sokolov brings it out.

I listened to Sokolov twice just now, it's pretty nice. I don't really like the piece unless it's played by Rafal Blechacz, and then I like it pretty well. Actually, I like it quite a bit now that I listen to it again! There is a version of his prelude 11 on youtube, but it's not quite as good as the one on his 24 preludes CD.

The second prelude is boring.

Amen, brother!

[rubinsteinmad]

The second prelude is boring.

It's not just boring, it's also probably one of the ugliest pieces Chopin wrote.

[pencilart3]

Since you guys revived this topic, I guess I'll ask a question about it. I'm preparing for a competition in november. I'll be playing:

1) Bach Italian Concerto, 3rd mov.
2) Ginastera Rondo on Argentine Children's Folk Tunes
3) Probably an easier piece by Ravel, Debussy, or Liadov.
4) Three Chopin preludes of my choice.

Which preludes would you suggest? I posted in the audition room a while back a recording of me practicing prelude 16, so I think I'm going to play that one and two others. I'm looking for nice contrast, I have a fiery one, then I'd like a nice major one and a slower romantic one. I already know prelude 1 (That's in the audition room also  )  and maybe prelude 13? 1, 13, 16? Would those be good?

[chopinlover01]

Your recent posts seem to suggest you already have the selections in mind.
Fiery- 16
"Nice major one" (whatever the ___ that means)- 1
Slower romantic one- you could do a number of different ones for these, but since you love 15 I guess you could do that. Just don't refer to it as raindrops.
Personally though I like the F sharp major better.
Also, for your easier piece by the three you mentioned, I'll advocate for Debussy's The Snow is Dancing from Children's Corner.

[pencilart3]

Your recent posts seem to suggest you already have the selections in mind.

Yes, I have some in mind I am wondering if you think there is nice contrast and if they are good selections.

"Nice major one" (whatever the ___ that means)

It means that it should be one that is nice to listen to, and in a major key. Is that hard to understand?

Slower romantic one- you could do a number of different ones for these, but since you love 15 I guess you could do that. Just don't refer to it as raindrops.
Personally though I like the F sharp major better.

I like them about the same. The raincrap prelude is a little long though, so I think I'd rather do F sharp than raincrap. But then again, I already know the raincrap... but then YET AGAIN, it would be easy to learn the F sharp...

Also, for your easier piece by the three you mentioned, I'll advocate for Debussy's The Snow is Dancing from Children's Corner.

Ok I'll check it out.

[schumaniac]

kk m9

[kevonthegreatpianist]

I like them about the same. The raincrap prelude is a little long though, so I think I'd rather do F sharp than raincrap. But then again, I already know the raincrap... but then YET AGAIN, it would be easy to learn the F sharp...

Hmm 28/13 is a bit better than 28/15, but if you want lyrical, go for 28/21 or Op.45

[schumaniac]

Hmm 28/13 is a bit better than 28/15, but if you want lyrical, go for 28/21 or Op.45

op. 28 no. 17 boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

[pencilart3]

I just found out my teacher has some insane obsession with the raincrap prelude so I guess I'm playing 1, 15, and 16. And I still don't know about that "other piece" but I need to fill 25 minutes and I only have

Bach - 3 1/2
Ginastera - 3
Chopin preludes - 7

so I need something very long I guess.

[kypiano]

I just found out my teacher has some insane obsession with the raincrap prelude so I guess I'm playing 1, 15, and 16. And I still don't know about that "other piece" but I need to fill 25 minutes and I only have

Bach - 3 1/2
Ginastera - 3
Chopin preludes - 7

so I need something very long I guess.

Isn't it OBVIOUS???
Don't just do 3 Chopin Preludes, do 6! JK

Or you can do an opus of Scriabin Preldes. Op. 16 is pretty, and it's only 10 minutes long!
Psh don't do Debussy. Debussy is really boring when played live. Except for l'Isle joyeuse & Jardins blah blah crap and Reflects dans l'eau.

Oh,  and a sprinkling of some well-thought-out Grieg doesn't hurt: (starts at 3:25)

Or try a complete opus of the Lyric Pieces:

BTW, my favorite preludes are #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 17, 24. But that's probably completely irrelevant by now

You can do the entire Mozart K311. Without repeats, it's 12 minutes. Or Haydn's complete HobXVI32, which is NINE MINUTES!!! I think classical sonatas are very refreshing to the ear.
Clementi is nice, too, but...

[pencilart3]

Isn't it OBVIOUS???
Don't just do 3 Chopin Preludes, do 6! JK

No actually I think I may play 4 of them. Maybe 1, 14, 15, and 16.

BTW, my favorite preludes are #1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 11, 17, 24. But that's probably completely irrelevant by now

It's not irrelevant, this thread it about Chopin's preludes. I'm not trying to turn it into anything else I just thought I would see if you had any other suggestions, but I'm looking through my computer finding hundreds. Thanks for the other suggestions though. Let's return to just the preludes. I like one a lot. I hate 2 a lot. 3 is OK. I greatly dislike 4. 6 is all right. 11 is good. 17 is good. 24 is pretty beast.

What do you think about 14? I like it a lot especially in between 1 and 15.

[kevonthegreatpianist]

op. 28 no. 17 boiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

no fantasy Op.49

[pencilart3]

no fantasy Op.49

What's that supposed to mean?

[schumaniac]

What's that supposed to mean?

"No; Fantasy, op. 49"
there is a work, called "Fantasy," which Chopin wrote as his op. 49.......

JK I didn't need to explain it like that... but I think the punctuation didn't make that much sense