A stormy, desolate Mallorca winter, brief moments of wonder, and perpetual illness were the threads of the canvas on which Chopin completed his masterpiece, Preludes, Opus 28, between the waning days of 1838 and the early days of 1839.

The work of an artist presents a portal into the artists mind. However, what each of us sees when gazing through that portal is unique.

Here are two artists' portals into Chopin's 24 Preludes. We hope you'll tell us what you found inside.

1 No. 1

in C Major

a.k.a Feverish anticipation of loved ones, Reunion

5 No. 5

in D Major

a.k.a Tree full of songs, Uncertainty

2 No. 2

in A Minor

a.k.a Painful meditation; the distant, deserted sea…, Presentiment of death

6 No. 6

in B Minor

a.k.a
Homesickness, Tolling bells

3 No. 3

in G Major

a.k.a The singing of the stream, Thou Art So Like a Flower

7 No. 7

in A Major

a.k.a Sensational memories float like perfume through my mind…, The Polish dancer

4 No. 4

in E Minor

a.k.a Above a grave, Suffocation

8 No. 8

in F♯ minor

a.k.a The snow falls, the wind screams, and the storm rages; yet in my sad heart, the tempest is the worst to behold, Desperation

Frédéric Chopin

24 Preludes

A stormy, desolate Mallorca winter, brief moments of wonder, and perpetual illness were the threads of the canvas on which Chopin completed his masterpiece, Preludes, Opus 28, between the waning days of 1838 and the early days of 1839.

1

No. 1

5

No. 5

2

No. 2

6

No. 6

3

No. 3

7

No. 7

4

No. 4

8

No. 8

1

2

Credits

Valentyn Smolianinov

Vincy Zhang