Classical Composer: | Beethoven, Ludwig van |
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Work: | 2 Preludes through all 12 Major Keys, Op. 39 |
Year Composed: | 1789 |
Instrumentation: | pf/org |
Publishers: |
Breitkopf & Härtel Universal Edition |
Duration: | 00:08:00 |
Period: | Classical (1750-1830) |
Work Category: | Instrumental |
Work Information
Available Recording(s)
Both Preludes were composed in 1789, or before, but were not published until 1803. They are also found among compilations of organ music, and this is understandable since they sound well on that instrument too. That which is unusual and remarkable is that in both Preludes, in the key of C major, Beethoven travels through all the sharp and flat keys in strict order, and in the second Prelude he even does it twice! In the first Prelude, which is quite substan-tial, he enjoys the flavour of each tonality for much longer and a climax is reached in the middle before the gradual, orderly return to C major. It is a most purposeful work and one that very much looks to the future. In the second Prelude of just two minutes long, it is indeed a small miracle how the young composer goes through all tonalities twice. In quite a few keys, he stays for only one bar and this swift and natural succession of modulations is just about unique in music.
Writer: Anonymous
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