Chopin

Recording: by Vladimir Horowitz

Score: From IMSLP

Lecture points

a prodigy, wrote exclusively for piano or piano-containing works
toured Europe as a pianist, performed and taught in private circles after settling in Paris
long tumultuous relationship with Aurore Dudevant (George Sand), enjoyed her financial support
poor health, contracted tuberculosis on island of Majorca, died young

Poland was partitioned (split between different states), largely under Russian rule
expatriate (Polish in exile), took Polish folk music as inspiration for his much more complex works
dense style with polyphonic elements, wrote 24 preludes in every key as a hommage to Bach

Polonaise: a stately Polish dance with the rhythm “tatiti tata tata” (triple meter)
highly elaborated and stylized by Chopin
chromaticism: “colors” (Greek), use of key areas distant from the key signature
third relations, unconventional harmonies and harmonic motions, especially in relating different sections
straightforward ternary forms
rubato: “robbed time” (Italian), giving expression to the music by playing outside strict tempo
written in or interpreted in performance, typically involves freedom of melodic right hand from left
nicknamed “Heroic” polonaise by George Sand