[1] The Prelude's taut structure is in ternary form, consisting of an opening "A" section with punctuated sixteenth-note chords (marked: Alla marcia, march), a more lyrical and melancholy "B" section with sweeping arpeggios in the left hand (marked: Poco meno mosso), a transition into the original tempo, and a recapitulation of the initial march.
Within the first three measures of the Prelude, Rachmaninoff introduces the unifying factors of the piece (notwithstanding the Poco meno mosso section).
In contrast to the Alla marcia, the "B" section introduces a lyrical chordal melody over an extended arpeggiated figure.
The section uses chromatically upward moving chords following embellished diminished seventh figures.
The narrator says (in Russian): "Gilels is playing at the front, to remind us what the war is worth fighting for: Immortal music!