Preludes by Chopin, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Messiaen, Górecki - Vinyl

Canadian starpianist Jan Lisiecki showcases the kaleidoscopic world of the prelude. Taking the notion of the prelude as meaning something “that comes before”, Lisiecki asks: “Can a recording project be composed entirely of such introductions, then, one leading directly into the next, and still be profound?”

Chopin reinvented the prelude; his iconic 24 Preludes Op. 28 are best known and featured by Lisiecki on this recording. Jan Lisiecki points out, “other composers also embraced this open-ended musical form with newfound purpose, leaving their own mark on it.” Presenting preludes by different composers across different eras from Bach, Messiaen, Rachmaninoff to Górecki, Lisiecki seeks “to showcase the broad possibilities of the humble Prelude” that takes “the audience on a musical expedition, answering the aboveposed rhetorical question with an emphatic “yes”.”

1. CHOPIN - Prelude in A-Flat Major, KK IVb_7. Presto con leggierezza
2. J. S. BACH - The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1_ Prelude No. 1 in C Major, BWV 846_1
3. RACHMANINOFF - 10 Preludes, Op. 23_ No. 3 in D Minor. Tempo di minuetto
4. MESSIAEN - Préludes_ I. La colombe
5. MESSIAEN - Préludes_ II. Chant d'extase dans un paysage triste
6. MESSIAEN - Préludes_ III. Le nombre léger
7. CHOPIN - Prelude in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 45. Sostenuto
8. RACHMANINOFF - Prelude in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2
9. GÓRECKI - 4 Preludes, Op. 1_ No. 1 Molto Agitato
10. GÓRECKI - 4 Preludes, Op. 1_ No. 4 Molto allegro quasi presto
11. J. S. BACH - The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1_ Prelude No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 847_1
12. RACHMANINOFF - 10 Preludes, Op. 23_ No. 5 in G Minor. Alla marcia
13. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 1 in C Major. Agitato
14. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 2 in A Minor. Lento
15. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 3 in G Major. Vivace
16. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 4 in E Minor. Largo
17. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 5 in D Major. Molto allegro
18. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 6 in B Minor. Lento assai
19. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 7 in A Major. Andantino
20. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 8 in F-Sharp Minor. Molto agitato    
21. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 9 in E Major. Largo
22. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 10 in C-Sharp Minor. Molto allegro
23. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 11 in B Major. Vivace
24. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor. Presto
25. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 13 in F-Sharp Major. Lento
26. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 14 in E-Flat Minor. Allegro
27. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 15 in D-Flat Major _Raindrop Prelude
28. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 16 in B-Flat Minor. Presto con fuoco
29. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 17 in A-Flat Major. Allegretto
30. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 18 in F Minor. Molto allegro
31. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 19 in E-Flat Major. Vivace
32. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 20 in C Minor. Largo
33. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 21 in B-Flat Major. Cantabile
34. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 22 in G Minor. Molto agitato
35. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 23 in F Major. Moderato
36. CHOPIN - 24 Preludes, Op. 28_ No. 24 in D Minor. Allegro appassionato