premature (prematur)

[= Sp. Pg. It. prematuro (cf. F. prématuré, prelude (pre'lūd or prel'ūd), n. also preludium ( prelude , F. pré- lude = Sp. Pg. It. preludio , præludium , a playing or performing beforehand, præ- ludere , play beforehand by way of practice or trial, premise, preface: see prelude , v.] 1. An introductory performance; a preliminary to an action, event, or work of broader scope and higher importance; a preface; presage; fore-ture manner; before the proper time; too early; shadowing. A strange accident befell him, perchance not so worthy of memory for itself as for that it seemeth to have been a kind of prelude to his final period. Sir H. Wotton, Reliquiæ, p. 228. Maybe wildest dreams Are but the needful preludes of the truth. Tennyson, Prince , Conclusion. 2. In music, a prefatory or introductory piece, section, or movement, either extended and more or le independent, as in many elaborate fugues, in suites and sonatas, in oratorios and operas, or brief and strictly connected with what is to follow, as in various shorter works and at the opening of church services and be fore hymns. The organ prelude to a church service is often called a voluntary. Compare intrada, introduction, overture, vorspiel, etc. The title of Prelude has never been a ociated with any particular form in music, but is equally applicable to a phrase of a few bars or an extended composition in strict or free style. Grove's Dict. Music , III. 28. IMG:content-0868.png:[blocks in formation]