Hi ,
Could any one tell me how to tell the difference between a written mazurka, prelude and nocturne? I know that a mazurka is usually in triple time but if it was marked 'lento' would it still be classed as a mazurka (aren't they usually fast?).
thanks in advance
Full Version: Prelude,nocturne Or Mazurka
No it is not true that Mazurkas are all fast. My edition of Chopins 50odd have quite variety of tempi markings, including several maked Lento, the best known of which is an early A Minor one. Theres another A minor marked Lento as well, though it seems to require a bit quicker tempo than the first one. They are almost all in 3 time, but some have introductions in other time signatures. A Mazurka is of course a dance.
Nocturne simply means 'Night Piece'. The inventor is supposed to have been the Irish compser John Field (contemporary with Beethoven). Chopin took up the format , and many others since eg Poulenc, Britten. They too can vary in tempi quite a bit, but often (though not always) start with a relavtively calm part, and a stronger section in the middle.
Preludes of course come in all shapes an sizes, from Bachs '48' through composers like Chopin, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Shostakovich etc (to name but a few) to the present day.
I guess from looking at just a written score, the Mazurka would be the easiest to spot. If its clearly not one of those, then try to see if the name 'Nocturne' might apply. If not, its probably a prelude. !
PS Welcome to the forums Pseudonym !
Nocturne simply means 'Night Piece'. The inventor is supposed to have been the Irish compser John Field (contemporary with Beethoven). Chopin took up the format , and many others since eg Poulenc, Britten. They too can vary in tempi quite a bit, but often (though not always) start with a relavtively calm part, and a stronger section in the middle.
Preludes of course come in all shapes an sizes, from Bachs '48' through composers like Chopin, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Shostakovich etc (to name but a few) to the present day.
I guess from looking at just a written score, the Mazurka would be the easiest to spot. If its clearly not one of those, then try to see if the name 'Nocturne' might apply. If not, its probably a prelude. !
PS Welcome to the forums Pseudonym !
Hi pseudonym, welcome to the forums
I agree with fsharpminor's insights into the differences between Mazurkas, Nocturnes and Preludes.
I would only add that, to get a feel for the often subtle differences betweeen them, try to study as many scores as you can of all three forms.
So, for example, pick one Prelude, one Nocturne, and one Mazurka (all by Chopin if you like), and line them up, side by side. Then look for the the points fsharpminor has made, about tempo, time, and structure etc, and note them down alongside each score. The more you do this, the easier it should become to spot the defining stylistic characteristics of each form, and to tell them apart. But be warned, unlike Mazurkas and Nocturnes, Preludes can vary a great deal more in style...
denmark
I agree with fsharpminor's insights into the differences between Mazurkas, Nocturnes and Preludes.
I would only add that, to get a feel for the often subtle differences betweeen them, try to study as many scores as you can of all three forms.
So, for example, pick one Prelude, one Nocturne, and one Mazurka (all by Chopin if you like), and line them up, side by side. Then look for the the points fsharpminor has made, about tempo, time, and structure etc, and note them down alongside each score. The more you do this, the easier it should become to spot the defining stylistic characteristics of each form, and to tell them apart. But be warned, unlike Mazurkas and Nocturnes, Preludes can vary a great deal more in style...
denmark
QUOTE(fsharpminor @ Oct 12 2009, 02:21 PM) 
No it is not true that Mazurkas are all fast. My edition of Chopins 50odd have quite variety of tempi markings, including several maked Lento, the best known of which is an early A Minor one. Theres another A minor marked Lento as well, though it seems to require a bit quicker tempo than the first one. They are almost all in 3 time, but some have introductions in other time signatures. A Mazurka is of course a dance.
Nocturne simply means 'Night Piece'. The inventor is supposed to have been the Irish compser John Field (contemporary with Beethoven). Chopin took up the format , and many others since eg Poulenc, Britten. They too can vary in tempi quite a bit, but often (though not always) start with a relavtively calm part, and a stronger section in the middle.
Preludes of course come in all shapes an sizes, from Bachs '48' through composers like Chopin, Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Shostakovich etc (to name but a few) to the present day.
I guess from looking at just a written score, the Mazurka would be the easiest to spot. If its clearly not one of those, then try to see if the name 'Nocturne' might apply. If not, its probably a prelude. !
PS Welcome to the forums Pseudonym !
Thankyou both for your very clear and prompt explanations.....and welcomes!
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