Prelude, for solo piano (2000)
Duration: 3’
MP3 Player
Score excerpt
Performers in audio recording:
Russell Nadel, piano
Studio recording, Abington Friends School, Jenkintown, PA
Autumn 2000
Program Notes:
This composition has no particular story behind it, or programmatic inspiration. In retrospect, I like to think that my main goal was to explore the interval of the minor sixth, and compose a piece that featured it so prominently that I could subsequently use it as a mnemonic for ear-training classes and exercises, but I think that was more likely just a happy side effect. I do remember for sure that I struggled mightily with the modulatory section in the middle of the work, racking my brain for all the unusual harmonic progressions I could think of to go around the circle of fifths back to the home key. I also know in retrospect that this piece directly influenced my next piano work, The Wind through the Trees, in terms of style and harmonic direction.
— August 2010