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Preludes, Op. 32 (Rachmaninoff)

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Thirteen Preludes (Russian: Тринадцать прелюдий, Trinadtsat' prelyudiy), Op. 32, is a set of thirteen preludes for solo piano, composed by Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1910.

Contents

It complements his earlier Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 3/2, and 10 Preludes, Op. 23, to complete the full set of 24 Preludes in all 24 major and minor keys.

Works in this opus

Opus 32 contains 13 preludes:

  • No. 1 in C major (Allegro vivace)
  • No. 2 in B flat minor (Allegretto)
  • No. 3 in E major (Allegro vivace)
  • No. 4 in E minor (Allegro con brio)
  • No. 5 in G major (Moderato)
  • No. 6 in F minor (Allegro appassionato)
  • No. 7 in F major (Moderato)
  • No. 8 in A minor (Vivo)
  • No. 9 in A major (Allegro moderato)
  • No. 10 in B minor (Lento)
  • No. 11 in B major (Allegretto)
  • No. 12 in G sharp minor (Allegro)
  • No. 13 in D flat major (Grave – Allegro)

    • Prelude No. 10

    Prelude in B minor, Op. 32, No. 10, was written in 1910 along with the other twelve pieces. Rachmaninoff was inspired by Arnold Böcklin's painting "Die Heimkehr" ("The Homecoming" or "The Return"). This is the second work of Rachmaninoff's to be inspired by one of Böcklin's paintings; the other being Isle of the Dead. Rachmaninoff also stated, to pianist Benno Moiseiwitsch, for example, that this was his personal favorite among his preludes.

    References

    Preludes, Op. 32 (Rachmaninoff) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA