Ivan Wyschnegradsky: “Prelude No. 5″ (24 Preludes in Quarter-Tones, 1934)

I was completely unfamiliar with the works of Wyschnegradsky until morimur turned me onto this piece in particular. It’s a fascinating dive into microtonal composition, with a disorienting quarter-tone scale that feels like the piece is melting as it proceeds. Like a candle that’s burning too fast to illuminate the room, but still provides a flicker to hold onto….