Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich ： 8 Preludes No.2 in G-Dur Op.2

Within its concise writing, this prelude combines a singing melody with light, nimble movement. Rather than making broad changes of scene, it shapes its musical flow by linking together short phrases. A key point is the balance between the natural breathing of the principal melody and the gentle momentum created by the accompaniment. In performance, the melody should be brought clearly to the fore without allowing the inner voices or accompaniment to become too heavy. Carefully identifying the peaks of each phrase, while maintaining subtle dynamics and restrained pedaling within its light character, brings out the music’s clarity.