Dmitri Dmitriyevich Shostakovich ： 8 Preludes No.3 in e-moll Op.2

This prelude condenses a lyrical melody and subtly shaded harmonic changes within a concise musical texture. It maintains a single overall flow while allowing its character to shift through the movement of the melody and changing degrees of sonority. One of its main attractions is the need to bring out the principal melody while listening closely to the tension created by the inner voices and accompaniment. In performance, careful balance between the voices and a clear shaping of each phrase’s climax and resonance are essential. Unhurried playing and pedaling that keeps overlapping sounds clear will reveal the delicate nuances contained in this brief piece.