inspirations (under construction)
The discipline of preluding is still present during the first half of the 20th century, but in weakened form. The virtuosity is often lacking, and the length of the prelude is reduced to a few chords. The examples below therefore only give a vague impression of the original discipline.
In general, during the 20th century, jazz pianists are the most adventurous in constructing preludes.
Wilhelm Backhaus (1884-1969) and Dinu Lipatti (1917-1950) playing a short prelude to Chopin's Nocturne in D flat major opus 27 no. 2. Live recording, 1953 & 1950.
Josef Hofmann playing a prelude before Chopin's Ballade N°1, live recording 1937.
Short transition at 56" (modulating prelude) by Ferruccio Busoni, recording 1922.
Art Tatum's Tiger Rag including a prelude, recording 1940.
Dinu Lipatti's short prelude to an Impromptu by Schubert. For some reasons explained in the youtube text, there's a gap between the prelude and the actual piece. Lipatti was very familiar with preluding during live performances.
Pianist and composer Ignacy Jan Paderewski (1860-1941), live BBC broadcast 1938. A short prelude to Beethoven Sonata op. 27 nr 14.
Note: Do you know of audio recordings of preludes that can serve as a good example? thanks for sharing this with me! jeroen.malaise@gmail.com