Classical Classroom

Pattern preludes are enigmas inside of conundrums wrapped in a warm flour tortilla. No – wait. That’s not right… Pattern preludes, according to composer Karim Al-Zand’s website, are, “…pieces constrained by a single idea (usually a rhythmic or textural ostinato) through which a composer expresses a narrowly focused thought. Patterning is especially well-suited to preludes, which are by convention short, concise and introductory.” Bach, Chopin, Debussy, and others wrote pattern preludes. These little pieces function as a tool by which classical music newbies can get to know a composer’s style. Learn aaall about them in this episode! Audio production by Todd “Titters” Hulslander with almost zero production input from Dacia Clay. Music in this episode: Bach’s Well Tempered Clavier C major prelude book 1 Chopin’s C major Etude, Op 10, No.1, played by Vladimir Ashkenazy Chopin/Bach, played by Kana Mimaki Al-Zand Pattern Prelude No. 1 (after Bach), played by DiLiberto Schumann Album Leaves Op. 124, No. 17, played