præludium

Präludium (plural Präludien) is a musical term for a short instrumental piece that can serve as an introduction to a larger work or stand alone as an independent piece. The word derives from Latin præludium, meaning a leading or introductory playing. In German usage, Präludium commonly refers to keyboard or organ works, and in English the equivalent term is Prelude.

In the Baroque and Classical periods, preludes often opened a larger work such as a suite or a collection of pieces, and they sometimes functioned as free-form showcases or improvisatory introductions. Notable examples include the organ and keyboard preludes of Dieterich Buxtehude and J.S. Bach. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 and Book 2, pairs a prelude with a fugue in each key, illustrating the traditional role of the prelude as an opening or companion to a more extended composition.

Romantic and modern composers expanded the concept, turning preludes into self-contained character pieces that explore mood, color, or technical display. Frédéric Chopin’s 24 Preludes, Op. 28, are among the best-known Romantic sets that function as complete musical statements rather than mere introductions. Claude Debussy’s Préludes, Books I and II, are celebrated for their impressionistic atmospheres and programmatic titles, often guiding listeners through distinct scenes or narratives.

In contemporary contexts, the term remains widely used in music theory and performance to describe introductory or standalone short pieces across varied styles. The distinction between a prelude as an opening and as a complete work varies by period and composer.