And such a theme! The
tonality is vague, beginning in E minor. Chopin's method of
thematic parallelism is here very clear. A small figure is
repeated in descending keys until hopeless gloom and depraved
melancholy are reached in the closing chords. Chopin now is
morbid, here are all his most antipathetic qualities. There is
aversion to life--in this music he is a true lycanthrope. A self-
induced hypnosis, a mental, an emotional atrophy are all present.
Kullak divides the accompaniment, difficult for small hands,
between the two. Riemann detaches the eighth notes of the bass
figures, as is his wont, for greater clearness. Like Klindworth,
he accents heavily the final chords. He marks his metronome 50 to
the half note. All the editions are lento with alla breve.
That the Preludes are a sheaf of moods, loosely held together by
the rather vague title, is demonstrated by the third, in the key
of G. The rippling, rain-like figure for the left hand is in the
nature of a study. The melody is delicate in sentiment, Gallic in
its esprit.
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