Overview
Introduction
These four Preludes were written during the time of Scriabin's courtship and marriage to Vera Ivanovna. By then, he had for the most part broken free of the influence of Chopin and Liszt. These four works reflect a generally upbeat manner and deepening of his expressive language, though they strike out no new path, as his music later would.
The first, in G sharp minor, marked Andante, is the most serious and longest, lasting about two minutes. It is also thematically the most complex and interesting, its unfolding nature revealing the piece to be less threadbare than it at first seems. The C sharp minor second, also marked Andante, is light but wistful in its gentleness and descending thematic design. The third, in B major (Allegretto), is also light, but detached and airy. If echoes of Chopin are still to be noticed anywhere in these four pieces, it is here. The B minor last prelude (Andantino) is playful and gentle at the outset, but reflective in the latter half. The last three preludes last about a minute each in typical performances, bringing the total duration to about five minutes for the set.
Parts/Movements
- No. 1, in G sharp minor
- No. 2, in C sharp minor
- No. 3, in B major
- No. 4, in B minor
