Prelude in E min | Piano Play-Along
Frederic Chopin
Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4 by Frédéric Chopin was composed between 1835 and 1839 and published in 1839 as part of his famous set of 24 Preludes, Op. 28. This prelude stands out as one of the most introspective and somber pieces in the collection, embodying Chopin’s gift for expressing deep emotion in a brief, concentrated form.
The piece is through-composed and relatively short, unfolding over a simple but poignant melody accompanied by steady, flowing chords. It does not follow a strict formal pattern but relies on a clear harmonic progression that supports the mournful, lyrical theme. Stylistically, the Prelude in E minor is characterized by its melancholic and reflective mood, featuring sparse textures and subtle dynamic shifts that enhance its expressive depth. This work exemplifies Chopin’s Romantic sensibility, capturing profound sadness and longing with elegant simplicity.
A piano virtuoso and great composer of the Romantic period, Frederic Chopin was born on March 1st 1810 in Warsaw, Poland. His father was a French school teacher who emigrated to Poland where he met and married Chopin’s mother. Chopin’s extraordinary talent as a musician was apparent at a very young age. By the age of 7 he was already composing music on the piano as well as performing publicly.
