Händel, Georg Friedrich : Prelude in a minor a-moll HWV 575
Work Overview
Genre:prelude
Total Playing Time:2 min 00 sec
Copyright:Public Domain
Commentary (1)
Author : Ooi, Kazurou
Last Updated: October 17, 2024
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Author : Ooi, Kazurou
This prelude is composed almost entirely of chords. Everything is treated improvisationally, to the extent that bar lines are hardly necessary.
There are two pieces of advice regarding this prelude. For the performer, it is advisable to vary the speed of arpeggios between sections perceived as high-tension peak points and those that are not. For instance, one could increase the arpeggio speed in high-tension areas and slow it down in low-tension areas, or conversely, play arpeggios slowly in high-tension areas and quickly in low-tension areas. In any case, altering the arpeggio speed allows for a change in atmosphere.
Furthermore, this prelude contains several notes other than chords, specifically seven instances of three eighth notes. Each of these three-eighth-note passages begins with an eighth rest. While four eighth notes do not even amount to a whole note, playing these three eighth notes during an arpeggiated chord can become truly confusing.
When playing the three eighth notes, try stopping the arpeggio before starting them.