Chopin: Preludes (Ed. Eduard Mertke): Piano Book
By Frédéric Chopin / ed. Eduard Mertke
Level: Intermediate / Advanced
Item: 00-PK-0003019
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Description
Edited and fingered by Ed Mertke. Chopin's 24 Preludes, Op. 28, are a set of short pieces for piano, one in each of the twenty-four keys, originally published in 1839. The Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op. 45 (sometimes listed as Prelude No. 25), was composed in 1841. Although the term "prelude" is generally used to describe an introductory piece, Chopin's preludes stand as self-contained units, each conveying a specific idea or emotion.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Chopin: Preludes (Ed. Eduard Mertke): Piano Book comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Kalmus Edition
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
40
SKU:
00-PK-0003019
More about this title
About the Composer: Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin (1810, 1849) was a Polish composer and pianist who fundamentally reshaped what the piano could express. Working primarily in Paris during the Romantic era, he composed almost exclusively for solo piano, developing a harmonic language of startling originality while drawing deeply from Polish folk music and operatic song. His influence on piano technique and Romantic expression remains absolute; generations of pianists have studied his works not just as repertoire, but as essential studies in musical poetry.
Chopin's Op. 28 Preludes stand among the most influential keyboard works ever written. Published in 1839 after years of careful composition, these 24 pieces traverse all major and minor keys in a logical cycle, yet each prelude is a complete artistic statement rather than a preparatory exercise. They demand imaginative pedaling, refined touch control, and the ability to sing at the keyboard, skills that remain central to piano pedagogy today.
Why we love this
These twenty-four preludes form the backbone of intermediate-to-advanced piano study because each piece introduces a single musical idea or technical challenge without padding. Mertke's fingering and editing streamline the learning process, allowing students to focus on interpretation rather than textual confusion. Programming all twenty-four (or a curated selection) offers programming flexibility ranging from intimate recitals to comprehensive masterclass demonstrations.
What to expect
These miniatures span from intimate introspection to virtuosic brilliance, sometimes within a single page. You encounter moments of crystalline simplicity alongside harmonic ambiguity that pulls against expected resolutions, creating a sense of emotional complexity that feels both personal and universal.
Who it's for
This collection serves advanced intermediate and advanced pianists preparing for recitals, competitions, or comprehensive study of Chopin's keyboard works. Teachers use these preludes to develop interpretive independence in upper-level students and to demonstrate how constraint (the single-key structure) can generate infinite musical variety.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat each prelude as a complete thought with its own architecture. Resist the temptation to rush shorter pieces; let silence and space have weight.
- Study the harmonic language closely before worrying about tempo. Understanding Chopin's unexpected chord progressions and voice leading will inform your phrasing naturally.
- Exploit the sustain pedal deliberately rather than continuously. The preludes were written for instruments with lighter action than modern pianos; thoughtful pedal work prevents harmonic muddiness.
- Allow rubato to emerge from the musical content, not as an overlay. The most convincing interpretations honor the rhythmic integrity of the accompaniment while the melody breathes.
How to use it
Build a recital around a thematic subset (all minor-key preludes, all étude-style pieces, or a modulating sequence of keys) rather than performing all twenty-four at once. Alternatively, feature one or two standalone pieces alongside other Romantic repertoire to show stylistic context without overwhelming the program.
Skills your students will build
- Voice independence and harmonic awareness across all twenty-four major and minor keys
- Control of pedal to balance clarity with resonance in varied textures
- Stylistic understanding of Romantic-era rubato and phrasing conventions
- Rapid technical facility across multiple figurative patterns (arpeggios, repeated notes, runs)
- Interpretive decision-making when editorial markings are minimal or sparse