Op 23 5 rachmaninoff biography

Prelude in G Major, Op. 23, No. 5 by Sergei Rachmaninoff is a renowned solo piano piece composed by the Russian virtuoso pianist and composer in 1901. The haunting prelude is known as one of Rachmaninoff’s most recognizable works as well as one of the most iconic pieces in piano music.

History and Context

This prelude was written when Rachmaninoff was at the age of 17, the same time the composer was working on his first symphony.

Composed in 1901, the work was first published in 1903, under the title Prelude in G Major, Op. 23, No. 5. Interestingly enough, the piece was first published without the composer’s name.

전주곡(라흐마니노프) - 나무위키

Before Rachmaninoff, similar prelude compositions penned by Bach and Chopin had already established a path for brief yet captivating piano pieces. Rachmaninoff expanded his prelude to flow through multiple sections with different melodic and harmonic settings.

Analysis

The prelude is written in modified Prelude in G minor (Rachmaninoff) - Wikiwand BEKU