The word prelude comes from the Latin praeludium, which is the experience prior to something. Thus, the prelude is what allows us to introduce something different. In this way, dark clouds are the prelude to a storm or kisses can be the prelude to a love relationship. Therefore, we are before a term that expresses the initial moments of a later event.
It could be said that we use the concept of prelude to imply that something is predictably going to happen. This is due to the logical sequence of many daily events, such as kisses-love, clouds-storm, insults-violence, etc. The prelude to something is always a preview or an announcement.
The announcement of what is going to happen
Certain events have a periodic character, in such a way that first something happens and then another circumstance comes. If we think of carnival, this popular festival is the prelude to Lent. The same happens with the cycles of nature (for example, the change of appearance of the field is the prelude to spring). From a cultural point of view, a preface to a book is a text whose function is to announce or introduce a work. On the other hand, it should be noted that the verb prelude is equivalent to prepare, enunciate or anticipate.
It should be noted that prelude is not always used in a strict sense (A is the prelude to B) but is used in a figurative sense
Thus, if I affirm that "his elusive glances and his trembling hands were the prelude to an intense love story" I am making a romantic description of some events and the word prelude is used to emphasize the message.
The musical prelude
In the musical context the term prelude has another meaning. Originally, the prelude referred to the initial moments of a performance, in which a musician or several put their instrument to the test and improvised some sounds to prepare before the performance.
With the passage of time, this original meaning changed and from the 15th century on, the concept of prelude was used as an independent piece and as a defined musical genre.
In musical language, a prelude is a free piece that precedes another, for example a fugue or a toccata. There are also musical preludes in some dance performances or as an introductory part of an opera. From the 19th century onwards, the musical prelude was understood in a totally independent way and, therefore, it did not precede any piece of music, as is the case with Chopin's 24 Preludes or some Debussy creations.
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