A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Prelude
PRELUDE (Fr. Prélude; It. Preludio; Lat. Preludiam; Ger. Vorspiel). A preliminary movement, ostensibly an introduction to the main body of a work, but frequently of intrinsic and independent value and importance. [See Introduction, Overture.] The term is rarely used in connection with oratorio, cantata, or opera, either as a synonym for overture or as a title for the instrumental introduction taking the place of an overture in regular form. Wagner, however, employs the word Vorspiel in the majority of his music dramas, notably in 'Lohengrin' and 'Die Meistersinger.' In each of these several instances the movement so denominated is not only of extreme significance, but is capable, like an overture, of being performed apart from the opera. In 'Tristan und Isolde' he prefers Einleitung (Introduction), but in the four sections of 'Der Ring des Nibelungen' we have Vorspiel, and the terms in an operatic sense may be considered practically interchangeable.
The Prelude was for a long period a characteristic portion of the Sonata or Suite. For example, Corelli in his 'Sonate da Camera,' commences almost invariably with a Preludio, that is, an introduction of 8, 12, or 16 bars, largo or adagio, leading generally into an Allemande. In the works of Corelli's successors, Italian and German, we find the Prelude more developed, but it seems to have been a matter of choice with the composer whether a movement so named should precede the Allemande. Bach, whose commanding genius led him to improve upon the lines of his predecessors, has left some masterly preludes in what is generally known as the ancient binary or sonata form; these movements being as important and interesting as any in his suites. [See Sonata, Suite.] But the term is used in another sense, which must be dealt with here—that is, as a title to the movement introductory to a fugue. The Wohltemperirte Clavier of Bach affords a great variety of forms and styles included under the same heading. In some instances, as for example Book I. No. 1 in C, No. 2 in C minor, and No. 3 in C♯, the prelude is a mere study in arpeggios; in others it is in regular form, as in Book II. No. 5 in D and No. 9 in E. Sometimes it is of greater length than the succeeding fugue, of which Book II. No. 17 in A♭, is an instance in point.
The organ preludes of Bach are of far greater interest than even his masterly compositions for the clavichord. In Book II. of the complete organ works there are some magnificent preludes, especially those in A minor, E minor, G minor and B minor. The contrapuntal ingenuity and musical beauty of the one last-named are greater than they are in the fugue following. But perhaps the finest of the entire series is that in E♭, Book III., associated with the fugue popularly known as 'St. Ann's.' The form of the movement is very nearly that of the modern rondo, and in regard to symmetrical proportion, melodic beauty, and depth of feeling, it has few rivals in the instrumental works of any composer. But a lengthy treatise might be penned on the organ preludes of John Sebastian Bach. Among the multitudinous imitations by recent composers the three preludes of Mendelssohn in op. 37 hold the foremost place. His six Preludes (and Fugues) for piano (op. 35) are also interesting, more especially that in E minor No. 1, which almost deserves a place among the 'Lieder ohne Worte.' Chopin, who was a law unto himself in many things, has left a series of Préludes, each of which is complete in itself, and not intended as an introduction to something else. The apparent anomaly may be forgiven, out of consideration to the originality of the pieces, which whether they were suggested by his visit to Majorca or not, are among the most characteristic of Chopin's compositions. It will be seen by the foregoing remarks that the title of Prelude has never been associated with any particular form in music, but is equally applicable to a phrase of a few bars or an extended composition in strict or free style.
Occasionally the synonymous word Preambulum is employed, of which the most salient modern instance occurs in Schumann's 'Carnaval,' op. 9. Prelude is sometimes used to signify the introductory bars of symphony in a song or other vocal piece; also the brief improvisation of a player before commencing his performance proper. Beethoven's two Preludes through the 12 keys, op. 39, are in the improvisatory style.