Prelude No. 4 is one of Chopin’s most recognizable piano pieces, and still maintains cultural relevancy almost 200 years after its composition. It has been used in soundtracks for countless movies and TV shows, and adaptations have been made by Antonio Carlos Jobim, Chick Corea, Jimmy Page, and Radiohead. It was even performed at Chopin’s own funeral per his request.
This arrangement is for guitar quartet, with parts 2, 3, and 4 accessible to less experienced players. The guitar 1 part reads in upper positions and also contains the most melodic and expressive demands. This arrangement could work well in an ensemble with mixed experience levels, or could be performed by a soloist (guitar 1) with an ensemble performing parts 2, 3 and 4.
One of the more challenging aspects of interpreting Prelude No. 4 as an ensemble piece is the treatment of pulse. A pianist performing this solo, would be very liberal and free with their phrasing. Encourage a strong connection to the conductor during performances to allow for a less heavy emphasis on the pulse.
Opportunities for Social Emotional Learning
This arrangement was inspired by a TED talk by Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Symphony. The talk is on the transformative power of classical music and uses this piece as its main talking point. The powerfully sad nature of this music compels the presenter to ask the audience to think of someone or something that they’ve loved and lost, and keep them in mind while listening.
Processing grief and loss can be especially hard for our young students, and musical experiences that encourage an authentic awareness to ‘feeling’ can be transformative. Although the expressive nature of this music is incredibly sad, forging a connection to that essence could be a powerful exercise for the musicians performing this piece.