STUDY AND PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES TO RODION SHCHEDRIN’S 24 PRELUDES AND FUGUES

Abstract

The purpose of my document is to find the key features of Rodion Shchedrin’s 24 Preludes and Fugues, and present performance suggestions to the Preludes of Volume I. This project will be divided into three chapters. Chapter 1 will introduce Shchedrin’s musical background and the development of his musical style. Chapter 2 will discuss the influences of Johann Sebastian Bach and Dmitri Shostakovich’s preludes and fugues, a feature of Shchedrin’s 24 Preludes and Fugues, and an interesting comparison of Volumes I and II. Shostakovich, one of the earliest composers to write a set of preludes and fugues in the twentieth-century, inspired Shchedrin to compose a similar piece. Shostakovich’s live performance of his own preludes and fugues influenced Shchedrin to compose 24 Preludes and Fugues using a variety of genres, characters, and polyphonic techniques. Shchedrin’s own unique style can be seen in his preludes that demonstrate various musical genres, and forms. For instance, the recitative style can be seen in Prelude XVII where he indicates “espress. Recitando”. Also, some of the preludes and fugues have a number of sudden tempo changes. One of the examples can be seen in Prelude XIV which starts Presto and ends Allegro. Chapter 3 will deal with performance guidelines to the Preludes of Volume I.