Twenty-Four Preludes for Piano (Auerbach)

The Twenty-Four Preludes for Piano by Lera Auerbach is a significant work in the contemporary piano repertoire, composed in 1999. This set of preludes is structured around the circle of fifths, with each prelude exploring a different key in both major and minor modes. Auerbach's work draws inspiration from the tradition established by composers like Johann Sebastian Bach, Frédéric Chopin, and Dmitri Shostakovich, who also composed sets of 24 preludes encompassing all major and minor keys.

Auerbach's Twenty-Four Preludes is notable for its stylistic diversity and its integration of various musical languages, ranging from lyrical and introspective passages to intensely dramatic and virtuosic sections. The preludes are often characterized by their exploration of dissonance, complex rhythmic structures, and a wide range of dynamic contrasts. They showcase Auerbach's distinctive compositional voice, which blends elements of neo-romanticism, expressionism, and contemporary idioms.

The work is considered technically demanding and musically profound, requiring a high level of skill and interpretative insight from the performer. It has been championed by several prominent pianists and has become increasingly popular in concert programs and recordings. The Twenty-Four Preludes is frequently analyzed for its innovative approach to form, harmony, and texture, and it is recognized as a major contribution to the piano literature of the 21st century.