Rachmaninoff - Prelude in G# Minor

What's this pianist doing? What's the musical idea he starts out with?

It's a texture created by the right hand which sets the mood for the entire prelude. Composers think in "sections." Can you tell when one section ends and another begins?

The art of music composition consists of repetition and contrast to create a pleasing "whole." Once you understand these principles, you can listen to music in a whole new way - like a composer!