About the piece
It belongs to the 24 Preludes Op. 28 (1839). It is so essential that other composers built whole works on it: Rachmaninoff used it as the theme of his Variations on a Theme of Chopin Op. 22.
Every bar has four full chords in both hands; after the loud first phrase, the others repeat soft and very soft.
How to practise it
- Learn the chords one at a time, looking at the finger position before you play.
- Use the weight of your arm, don't hit: full but not harsh sound.
- The change from loud to soft is the heart of the piece: exaggerate it.
- Change the pedal on every chord, just after playing it.
Free sheet music
First page. Complete sheet music (PDF) on the Mutopia Project (public domain, edition by Magnus Lewis-Smith); in the Piano Learning app you read it two pages side by side while you play.
Frequently asked questions
Is it suitable for beginners?
The notes are slow, but four-note chords in each hand need some stretch and confidence.
How long is it?
Just over a minute.