To serve as prelude to; to precede as introductory.
A short instrumental piece, often rather free in style.
From the Latin word praeludium, meaning an orchestral introduction to the act of an opera, such as the openings to the third acts of La Traviata. Usually shorter then an overture, it lacks the latter's formal structure.
an instrumental piece that was written to be played before a hymn, ceremony, or other instrumental piece such as a suite or fugue. In the baroque suite, often intended as a warm-up, tuning check, and "call for inspiration", in a free style.
An instrumental opening movement, often improvisational in character, that precedes a fugue or, sometimes, a group of movements. Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, for example, consists of a prelude and a fugue in each major and minor key--thus 24 of each in book I, and the same again in book II. (Ex. Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C Minor from WTC I, CD 1.) Chorale preludes are organ works based on Protestant chorales. In the 19th century Wagner used the term (Ger. Vorspiel) for his operas, in lieu of " overture ."
A short instrumental work for orchestra that leads directly, with no pause, into the opening act of an opera or other theater work. Preludes differ from overtures in that they are shorter works, and usually are not works that could be performed independently from the opera for which they were written. NEA CD: "Prelude" from Bizet's Carmen
From the Latin praeludium meaning something played before another work. There is no clear distinction between a prelude and an overture, though in general the former may be shorter and may also run directly into the opera (or act of an opera) which it introduces.
Typically music played before an event. see postlude
Usually a short introduction without an ending, leading into an act without pause, as opposed to an overture which is longer and can be played as a separate piece. Wagner called his introductions preludes even though some are quite long.
An instrumental section or movement preceding/introducing a larger piece or group of pieces.
something that serves as a preceding event or introduces what follows; "training is a necessary preliminary to employment"; "drinks were the overture to dinner"
music that precedes a fugue or introduces an act in an opera
a short "character" piece which is generally designed to create one main mood, and which is usually made of one primary musical gesture such as broken chords,
Introductory piece leading to another, such as fugue.
A piece of code inserted into the generated files. See pre-create prelude, pre-manage prelude, module prelude.
a short piece that precedes or introduces a more substantial piece; can also describe some piano pieces that are self-contained in their style
a work preceding something but the term is also used for a short self-contained work
The instrumental introduction to an individual act within an opera.
a piece of music sung or played before the start of the service.
Originally, a prelude was a short work (usually instrumental) intended to serve as an "opening act" for something larger. In the hands of certain composers (e.g., Bach and Chopin), preludes were miniatures that stood alone quite nicely, thank you
(it) - A piece to be played as an introduction or opening piece but often also a single romantic piece, following no sepcific form. [back
a piece of music designed to be played as an introduction; also used for operatic overtures
The instrumental introduction to an individual act within a musical drama, whether opera or operetta; some composers use the words overture, prelude and entr'acte interchangeably.
An introductory piece (though Chopin and other nineteenth-century composers wrote independent preludes).
a short work which comes before a larger work. Used to establish the key of the work and sometimes the mood.
a short or medium-length instrumental number for orchestra acting as an introduction to an opera or other theater work. Wagner preferred the term 'prelude' to 'overture' in his music dramas, but even Verdi often made a distinction between overtures, which introduced and developed thematic material to be used in the body of an opera (e.g. La forza la destino), and preludes, which were shorter and less developed (e.g. Aida).
Introductory piece in an instrumental composition, opera, or suite.
a work orignally intended to precede another work, but often stands alone.
"Play-before". An introductory movement or work.
'Play before.' An introductory movement or piece.
A prelude is a short piece of music, usually in no particular internal form, which may serve as an introduction to succeeding movements of a work that are usually longer and more complex. Many preludes have a continuous ostinato throughout, usually of the rhythmic and melodic variety. They are also somewhat improvisatory in style.