A
prelude (Germ.
Präludium or
Vorspiel; Lat.
praeludium; Fr.
prélude; It.
preludio) is a short
piece of
music, the
form of which may vary from piece to piece. The prelude may be thought of as a preface. While, during the
Baroque era, for example, it may have served as an introduction to succeeding movements of a work that were usually longer and more complex, it may also have been a standalone piece of work during the
Romantic era. It generally features a small number of rhythmic and melodic
motifs that recur through the piece. Stylistically, the prelude is improvisatory in nature. The prelude also may refer to an
overture, particularly to those seen in an
opera or an
oratorio.