Study Group #1: Chopin's Prelude in E minor
Welcome to our very first Study Group — a space for collaborative, peer-led learning!
We’re starting with one of the most moving works in the piano repertoire: Chopin’s Prelude in E minor, Op. 28 No. 4.
Why this piece? Because we’re leading up to the International Chopin Competition, and what better way to prepare than by immersing ourselves in Chopin’s language together. This isn’t a formal class — it’s a chance to learn side by side, share ideas, and discover new layers of the music. I’ll be working on the piece right along with you, and I can’t wait to see what insights we uncover as a group.
🗓️ What to expect:
Starting September 8th, we’ll explore:
Melody and balance — bringing out the singing line above the chords
Left-hand harmony — keeping the pulse steady and clear
Rubato and expression — shaping time without losing flow
Tone and pedaling — finding colors that bring the Prelude to life
Your own questions, discoveries, and perspectives!
We’ll also meet for two live Zoom sessions to share progress, exchange ideas, and celebrate our work on this piece. (Times and clickable links below!)
Livestream Presentation: September 11th at 11am PT
Zoom session #1: September 11th at 11:20am PT
Note: This zoom session will start with approximately a 15-20 minute short lecture and deep dive on the piece with Dominic, before we dive into all of your questions and conversations!
Zoom session #2: September 19th at 11am PT
✅ How to participate:
Sign up Here!
Download or open the score for the Prelude in E minor
Introduce yourself below!
Join the prompts and discussions
Share your thoughts, questions, or even a short recording if you’d like
Zoom Study Group #2 Video!
Dominic's Annotated Score Here!
132 replies
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OK, fellow study group members, here is my attempt at a recording of the prelude. My usual number of errors for a recording! I had the most trouble with mm 16-18, of course. I did highlight al the chord note changes, which seemed to help a lot.
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Hi everyone -- here's my recording of the prelude. My phone's mic was not so great; I have a much better separate external mic but I don't know how to synch it with video. Anyway, this study group has helped me learn the piece and think about lots of elements of it. I find it tricky to balance the RH and LH just right; also, keeping flow while "pointing out" to the listener some of the harmony changes, without sounding clunky or plodding, is another challenge.
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Here is my submission. I have lots to practice!
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Hey Everyone! I just left my annotated score up top!
Here it is again in case you need it! -
Thank you.
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‘Too late too late’ you cry, and yes you are obviously right but here it is anyway.
Thank you!
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It's marked private, so we can't see it 😕
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Thank you so much for saying so, it should be all right now!
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Can see it now. I personally prefer a slower tempo, but otherwise flawless!
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Thank you for sharing this Angela -- very nice! It's hard to know what the dynamics sound like in your home (that is, the recording device might accentuate certain things differently than how one's ears would hear you in playing in that room); that said, I'm wondering if LH and maybe overall dynamic could be a little softer, perhaps just in some places? But maybe not. All quite subjective of course. I enjoyed listening to you play. Cheers.
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thank you Andrew! Just recorded in an iPad but I’ll keep your comments in mind.
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Okay my turn to jump in the pool. I'm posting before I listen to any others so I don't lose my nerve.