Prelude in C minor Op. 28 No. 20

About this work

In Chopin’s Prelude in C minor, Op. 28 No. 20, the melody sits at the top of closely packed chords. The opening Largo gives them weight, but the upper line keeps moving: it needs to remain audible without every chord receiving the same force. The bass, often doubled at the octave, supports the slow tread.

Across just thirteen bars, the score sets out a clear contrast: four opening bars at fortissimo, a quieter passage at piano, then its return at pianissimo. Reducing the volume while keeping the line alive takes careful control of touch. Play the top voice on its own first, then add the inner notes more softly. The melody should still be easy to follow when the chords become quiet.

Too much pedal can blur the changing harmonies. Listen to the bass and the top of each chord separately, then bring them together and renew the pedal at the marked changes. In the two passages marked ritenuto, shape the slowing across the phrase rather than suddenly holding back its last note.


What the document contains

The one-page PDF contains the complete piano Prelude, Op. 28 No. 20. Magnus Lewis-Smith’s engraving, published by Mutopia from an Edition Peters source, is declared public domain. A MIDI file accompanies the score. The PDF retains the dynamics and pedal markings, with an added link to LesPartitions.info.