Tortoiseshell Music Home of composer Nathan Curtis

Basic Information

Title: 

Four Little Preludes

Instrumentation: 

Piano

Duration: 

4' (four 1' movements)

Date of Composition: 

2000-2002

Premiere: 

July 2002

Performers: 

Nathan Curtis, piano

Score: 

Prelude no. 1

Recording: 

Prelude 1 (1.2 MB)

Recording: 

Prelude 2 (1.2 MB)

Recording: 

Prelude 3 (1.5 MB)

Recording: 

Prelude 4 (1 MB)

Store links: 

Sheet music listing

The Four Little Preludes are among my earliest works; in fact, the first prelude, composed around 1999, is probably the oldest piece I still consider fit for public consumption. If nothing else, the Preludes are a reflection of my love of jazz, especially jazz harmony. I learned more about harmony from playing piano in a high school jazz band for three years than I did from all my semesters of college music theory. Of course, I'm still learning, with every piece I write.

Years ago, not long after I finished the Preludes, I recorded them for my then-current portfolio. I stuck a couple of mics behind my dad's ancient Steinway upright, which for years spoiled me with its hazy tone (I swear it's not that tinny in real life) and soft action, and banged out my renditions. Since then, I've gotten better recordings of a better performance with a better pianist on a better piano, but when I encountered these gems on the hard drive of my digital recorder, I knew I had to share them with you. Enjoy!