About the piece
It belongs to the 24 Preludes Op. 28, one in every key, which Chopin completed in 1839 during the winter he spent in Majorca. It was played on the organ at his funeral in Paris in 1849.
The right hand sings a few long notes; the left repeats chords that change one note at a time, slowly sinking.
How to practise it
- Left hand alone: notice which note changes from one chord to the next; often it is just one.
- Keep the chords very soft and even, with the melody slightly louder.
- In the middle there is a crescendo with a short fast passage: learn those bars separately.
- The last bars are made of silences: count them carefully.
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?
Yes, it is one of the simplest preludes: slow and without leaps. It just needs care with the sound of the chords.
Was it really played at Chopin's funeral?
Yes, together with Prelude No. 6, in an organ version.