15. "The
foundation of the picture is the drops of rain falling at regular
intervals"--the echo principle again--"which by their continual
patter bring the mind to a state of sadness; a melody full of
tears is heard through the rush of the rain; then passing to the
key of C sharp minor, it rises from the depths of the bass to a
prodigious crescendo, indicative of the terror which nature in
its deathly aspect excites in the heart of man. Here again the
form does not allow the ideas to become too sombre;
notwithstanding the melancholy which seizes you, a feeling of
tranquil grandeur revives you." To Niecks, the C sharp minor
portion affects one as in an oppressive dream: "The re-entrance
of the opening D flat, which dispels the dreadful nightmare,
comes upon one with the smiling freshness of dear, familiar
nature."
The prelude has a nocturnal character. It has become slightly
banal from frequent repetition, likewise the C sharp minor study
in opus 25. But of its beauty, balance and exceeding chastity
there can be no doubt. The architecture is at once Greek and
Gothic.
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