preludium

Preludium, commonly translated as prelude, is a term used in Western classical music to denote a short introductory piece that precedes a larger work or appears at the beginning of a collection. The word derives from Latin praeludium, from prae- “before” and ludere “to play.” In many languages the form is written as preludio, prélude, or präludium, reflecting its cross-cultural usage.

In the Baroque era and later, preludes often served to establish the tonal center and mood before a more substantial movement or suite. They can be improvisatory in character or highly structured, and while they frequently function as introductions, some are standalone pieces performed in concert. The form has been employed in keyboard, ensemble, and orchestral contexts, and it sometimes overlaps with the concept of an overture or an anteccedent piece to a larger work.

Notable examples include Bach’s preludes that open the Well-Tempered Clavier, which pair with fugues in a two-part structure; Chopin’s 24 preludes, Op. 28, which explore a wide range of keys and emotional states; and Debussy’s Préludes, Book I and Book II, which broaden the expressive scope of the form and are often regarded as independent character pieces rather than preludes to other works. Earlier composers such as Scarlatti and Rameau also contributed notable preludes to their suites and keyboard works.

Today, preludium remains a generic label for introductory pieces and for works titled as preludes in various national traditions. The form is characterized by flexibility in length and structure, with a focus on setting tonal or thematic groundwork for subsequent music.