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Shostakovich, Dmitry Dmitrievich : 24 Preludes and Fugues No.1 C-Dur Op.87-1

Work Overview

Music ID : 21822
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:pieces
Total Playing Time:7 min 00 sec
Copyright:Under Copyright Protection

Commentary (1)

Author : Yamamoto, Akihisa

Last Updated: January 9, 2021
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Note: This article is automatically translated from the original Japanese text. The author of the original work did not supervise this translation.

Prelude

The Prelude (Moderato), according to one of the autograph manuscripts, was completed as a fair copy on October 10, 1950 (listed as Autograph C in the Shostakovich Collected Works published by DSCH; all subsequent completion dates mentioned are likewise based on this source). It is a tranquil piece characterized by a dance-like rhythm in two-bar units, reminiscent of a sarabande. It is likely no coincidence that the piece begins in the same register as Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier. Another characteristic feature is that, apart from short yet expressive cadenza-like passages interspersed throughout, the entire piece is constructed from chords.

Fugue

The Fugue (4 voices, Moderato, completed October 11, 1950), like the Prelude, possesses a serene character while also being rigorously constructed. Its speaking-like theme is said to evoke ancient Russian church chants. Furthermore, the piece is played entirely on white keys without a single exception, and from the point where the second voice is introduced, most measures are filled with an uninterrupted basic rhythm of quarter notes, thereby conveying an overall impression of balance and stability.

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