Description
Close to a nocturne in character, this is the calmest piece in the set. As No. 13 of the 24 Preludes, Op. 28, it opens the second half, and at two and a half minutes it is one of the longer preludes; it is sometimes played on its own.
Within the broad beats of 6/4, the left hand keeps a widely spread accompaniment in continuous motion while the right sings in long breaths above it, in F-sharp major. The middle section, marked più lento, slows further and thickens harmonically before the opening calm returns.
With no fast motion it is classed as intermediate, but it is not an easy piece. The tasks are keeping the wide broken chords soft while the melody sings, and refining the quality of quiet tone. Renew the pedal at each change of harmony so the sound stays clean. The decision to ease the tempo in the middle section is what the piece turns on.
A set of 24 short pieces Chopin composed in 1838-39, covering all 24 keys, each with its own distinct character — a poetic cycle for piano.
Browse all songs in 24 Preludes Op.28 →Sheet Music
Sheet music provided by Mutopia Project
About the Composer
Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Frederic Chopin was born in Poland and made his career in Paris, remaining unusual among great composers for writing almost exclusively for piano. He poured his longing for his homeland into mazurkas and polonaises, while his ballades and etudes combine poetic melody with harmonic innovation. This site includes the "Revolutionary" and other etudes, Ballades No. 1 and No. 4, nocturnes, and the Preludes, Op. 28.
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