Composed: 1981
Duration: 2 minutes
First Performance: none to date
Prelude for Piano Op. 3, was written in 1981 while the composer was still under the tutelage of Professor Richard Arnell at Trinity College, London.
It is his direct response to Ludwig Wittgenstein's philosophical treatise 'Tractatus Logico Philosophicus', and in particular the final message "What we cannot speak about, we must pass over in silence."
Experimental and almost 'Scriabinesque' in sound it makes great use of the tritone, which by its very nature removes any vestige of a tonal centre. Rushing demi-semiquavers punctuate more serene moments, but the overriding mood remains one of expectancy. A final rush of demi-semiquavers leaves the work unresolved and questioning.
The Prelude is dedicated to Lady Trudy Bliss who has been a long-time champion of Ian Venables' music.