Gershwin originally planned to compose 24 preludes for this group of works. The number was reduced to seven in manuscript form, and then reduced to five in public performance, and further decreased to three when first published in 1926. Two of the remaining preludes not published were rearranged for solo violin and piano and published as Short Story. Of the other two, the Prelude in G was eliminated by the publisher because somewhat similar music had already appeared in Gershwin's Concerto in F. The other was excluded for unknown reasons.

Tempo Allegro
Date of composition 1926 in New York, NY, United States
Premiered 1926 (Roosevelt Hotel) in New York, NY, United States by George Gershwin
First published 1926
Type Prelude
Tonality B-flat Major
Approx. duration 7 minutes
Instruments Piano
Autotranslations beta George Gershwin: Three Preludes en si bémol majeur
George Gershwin: Three Preludes in si bemolle maggiore
George Gershwin: Three Preludes B-dur