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Home > Händel, Georg Friedrich > Prelude in D minor d-moll

Händel, Georg Friedrich : Prelude in D minor d-moll HWV562

Work Overview

Music ID : 74592
Instrumentation:Piano Solo 
Genre:prelude
Total Playing Time:1 min 40 sec
Copyright:Public Domain

Commentary (1)

Author : Ooi, Kazurou

Last Updated: October 17, 2024
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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.

Please consider the following text as a personal reflection and not a definitive statement, as it represents the author's subjective observations. When "arpeggio" is indicated where chords are present, the chords are to be played in a broken fashion. However, the manner of breaking these chords can vary significantly, and this variation alters the overall atmosphere.

For instance, a method of arpeggiation that ascends and then descends, as seen in measure 8 (though measure 8 is written in individual notes rather than as a chord), conveys a sense of the music constantly moving forward. This can be perceived as restless.

Furthermore, this effect is also influenced by the speed at which the notes are arpeggiated. A faster arpeggiation speed further heightens tension and reduces a sense of calm.

Another method of arpeggiation involves a unidirectional ascent from bottom to top. In this case, it can create a calmer impression than an ascending-then-descending motion.

In this prelude, there are measures where the arpeggiation of chords is deliberately written out in individual notes (e.g., measures 8-10). Let us consider why Handel chose to write individual notes here instead of chords. If the subsequent chords were simply to be arpeggiated in an ascending-then-descending manner, would they not be indistinguishable from measures 8-10?

For a cadence (final close), such as in measures 19-20, a sense of calm is desired with a slight cessation of motion. Therefore, I believe it would be appropriate to limit the arpeggiation to a simple ascent from bottom to top, rather than repeating an ascending-then-descending motion. What are your thoughts?

Writer: Ooi, Kazurou
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