Prelude

Prelude (Lat. præ, 'before,' and ludo, 'I play'), the introductory movement of a musical work (see INTRODUCTION). The first movement of a suite was usually a prelude; and the term is especially associated with the pieces prefaced by Bach to his celebrated clavichord and organ fugues. It has also been applied, without special significance, by Chopin to his collection of short pieces, op. 28. Its form is indeterminate, but the piece is always in the same key as that succeeding it.