Nikolai Kapustin ： Prelude No.23 in F-Dur Op.53-23

Set against the bright, open sonority of F major, this prelude combines Kapustin’s characteristic jazz idiom with classical writing. Lively rhythms, syncopation, and richly colored harmonies create a strong sense of momentum, while the interplay between melody and accompaniment provides an additional point of interest. It is a work to enjoy through the contrasts between its passages while maintaining a coherent overall flow. In performance, the music comes vividly to life when the rhythm is kept precise while attention is also given to the direction of each phrase and the changes in harmony.