Twenty-Four Preludes for Piano (Op. 41) is a set of 24 preludes composed by Russian emigre composer Lera Auerbach in 1999. The work alternates between major and minor, following the progression of relative minor starting from C major and concluding on D minor. The work was commissioned by Tom and Vivian Waldeck in collaboration with the Caramoor International Music Festival, and is dedicated to the Waldecks. The premiere was given on 23 July 1999 in New York, by the composer herself.
The piece takes 39 minutes in a standard performance.
Form The long-range form follows the tonal progression of the relative minor, the descending minor-third key that is associated with every major key. Also, the work oscillates between major and minor throughout the work, while the tempo markings do not indicate any pattern and are instead tied to the individual key itself.
Moderato in C major Presto in A minor Moderato in G major Appassionato – Nostalgico in E minor Andantino sognante in D major Chorale in B minor Andante in A major Presto in F minor Allegretto in E major Largo in C minor Misterioso in B major Allegro bruto in G minor Andante in F major Allegretto in E minor Moderato in D major Allegro ma non troppo, tragico in B minor Adagio tragico in A major Grave in F minor Adagio religioso in E major Misterioso in C minor Allegro moderato in B major Andante in G minor Allegretto in F major Grandioso in D minor
Recordings 2004: Academy of Music, Lera Auerbach (piano) 2015: Centaur Records, Inc., Eli Kalman (piano)
Further links Score (Editions Sikorski/Exempla Nova) Performance Guide for 24 Preludes for Piano (Nezhdanova-Cunningham, 2017)
References