Prelude

(Lat. pralu’dium; It. pretu’. dio; Fr. prélude; Ger. Vor's piel) A piece of music introductory or preparatory to another and more extended movement or composition, or to a dramatic performance, church-service, etc. The prelude has no distinctive form or independent character, being adapted to what is to follow it. (Comp. Overture.)—The short piano-pieces by Cho. pin, entitled ‘‘ Preludes”, are anomalous, not having been intended for introductory pieces.—An organ-prelude to the church-service is commonly called a voluntary.