Twenty-Four Preludes for Piano (Auerbach)

Twenty-Four Preludes for Piano (Op. 41) is a set of 24 preludes composed by Russian emigre composer Lera Auerbach in 1999. The work alternates between major and minor, following the progression of relative minor starting from C major and concluding on D minor. The work was commissioned by Tom and Vivian Waldeck in collaboration with the Caramoor International Music Festival. The work is dedicated to Tom and Vivian Waldeck. The premiere was given on 23 July 1999 in New York and was first performed by the composer herself.

The piece takes 39 minutes in a standard performance.

Form

The long-range form follows the tonal progression of the relative minor, the descending minor-third key that is associated with every major key. Also, the work oscillates between major and minor throughout the work, while the tempo markings do not indicate any pattern and are instead tied to the individual key itself.

1. C major Moderato
2. A minor Presto
3. G major Moderato
4. E minor Appassionato – Nostalgico
5. D major Andantino sognante
6. B minor Chorale
7. A major Andante
8. F sharp minor Presto
9. E major Allegretto
10. C sharp minor Largo
11. B major Misterioso
12. G sharp minor Allegro bruto
13. F sharp major Andante
14. E flat minor Allegretto
15. D flat major Moderato
16. B flat minor Allegro ma non troppo, tragico
17. A flat major Adagio tragico
18. F minor Grave
19. E flat major Adagio religioso
20. C minor Misterioso
21. B flat major Allegro moderato
22. G minor Andante
23. F major Allegretto
24. D minor Grandioso

Recordings

• 2004: Academy of Music, Lera Auerbach (piano)
• 2015: Centaur Records, Inc., Eli Kalman (piano)

Further links

• Score (Editions Sikorski/Exempla Nova)
• Performance Guide for 24 Preludes for Piano (Nezhdanova-Cunningham, 2017)