Elegiac Prélude “Caoineadh”

The Five Elegiac Préludes Opp 11-15 were conceived as a set of préludes totally written in minor keys (no modulations to major keys) to reflect elegiac emotions (as emphasized by their subtitles).

The Prélude in G minor began as a series of chord progressions. The ultimate form assumed a melody with underlying restless chord arpeggios with octaves in the bass alternating with high register answering notes. The Gaelic word “Caoineadh” (pronounced “Quinn-akh”) means “wailing or keening”.

The piece reflects the ululation of the banshees in Gaelic mythology who wail when an individual is about to die, coupled with the tolling of bells at the church graveyard emphasized in the low bass and high treble alternating notes.

This prélude was composed from 28 December 2011 through 18 May 2012.