The Prelude in E minor belongs to the category of elegiac preludes: it moves in dark, even sombre colours. Particularly distinctive here is the insistent repetition of a ‘seconds’ motif (in this instance a minor second), characteristic of the cycle as a whole. It proceeds at a slow tempo, is extremely succinct and adheres to a muted dynamic range.Author: Mieczysław TomaszewskiA series of programmes entitled ‘Fryderyk Chopin's Complete Works’Polish Radio 2