24 Preludes

Palmgren was called the "Chopin of the North", and he composed altogether almost 350 individual piano pieces. The collection of 24 preludes from 1907 is the most extensive of all Palmgren's piano opuses providing a highly representative cross section of his piano style. The principal model was provided by the preludes of Chopin. At their simplest Palmgren's preludes combine simple folk music features with romantic songfulness. Among the most interesting of these pieces are the lyrical, Impressionistic Unikuva (Dream Vision, No. 11) and Linnunlaulua (Birdsong, No. 19).