Mazurkas, Op. 17 (Chopin)
Encyclopedia
Mazurkas, Op. 17 is a set of four mazurka
s for piano
by Frédéric Chopin
, composed and published between 1832 and 1833. A typical performance of the set lasts about fourteen minutes.
in 1834. During the time that Chopin was composing the mazurkas, he had recently settled in France, as he had become a refugee from Poland, however, he hoped he could move back to Poland when the political system had changed. This hope was never realised.
Even though Chopin had moved away from his homeland, he never forgot his Polish roots, especially in his Mazurkas.
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Mazurka
The mazurka is a Polish folk dance in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, and with accent on the third or second beat.-History:The folk origins of the mazurek are two other Polish musical forms—the slow machine...
s for piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
by Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
, composed and published between 1832 and 1833. A typical performance of the set lasts about fourteen minutes.
Composition
Frédéric Chopin composed his Op. 17 in 1832-33 and they were published in LeipzigLeipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
in 1834. During the time that Chopin was composing the mazurkas, he had recently settled in France, as he had become a refugee from Poland, however, he hoped he could move back to Poland when the political system had changed. This hope was never realised.
Even though Chopin had moved away from his homeland, he never forgot his Polish roots, especially in his Mazurkas.
Mazurka in B-flat major, Op. 17, No. 1
Description
The first Mazurka in the set is in B-flat major and has a time signature of 3/4. It also has the tempo marking: Vivo e risoluto (TempoTempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
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Musical analysis
The piece starts with a short, bold theme and is soon followed by a section in question and answer. This phrase is then completed with a descending sequence. This main theme then repeats in two different new keys, one after the other. The Mazurka then finishes with a slower section and the main theme repeated once more. There is then a D.C. al fine and the whole piece then starts again and finishes at the start of the final, slower section with a B-flat chord in octaves.Description
The second mazurka is in E minor, is in 3/4, and has a tempo marking of Lento, ma non troppo. A typical performance of the E minor Eleventh lasts about two-and-a-half minutes.Musical analysis
The Mazurka features an almost waltz style to it. The piece is in a very homophonic texture with a single tune accompanied by chords. The piece ends with intricate arpeggio patterns and a very quiet ending, contrasting to the beginning, with tempo marks to forte (f)Dynamics (music)
In music, dynamics normally refers to the volume of a sound or note, but can also refer to every aspect of the execution of a given piece, either stylistic or functional . The term is also applied to the written or printed musical notation used to indicate dynamics...
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Description
The third mazurka, in A flat major, is marked Legato assai. This piece is one of the longest mazurkas Chopin wrote, lasting about six minutes in a typical performance.Musical analysis
The third Mazurka of this set is comparable the previous in its texture: very homophonic. The piece unfolds with very varied dynamics and half-way through, it changes to the key of E major but changes back to the original key for the last few bars and the codaMazurka in A minor, Op. 17, No. 4
Description
The last mazurka in the set is in 3/4 and is marked Lento, ma non troppo. This piece lasts about four or five minutes in a typical performance. It is one of the more popular mazurkas.Musical analysis
The final Mazurka of the set is more characteristic and free than the others. Although it remains in the very homophonic texture, the dynamic variation is much greater. The piece ends with the same four measures as it began, with no pedal, the chords played by the left hand portamento, the tone and time fading away in a perdendosi. These four measures would later be sampled by Henryk Górecki in the opening of the third movement of his third symphony.External links
- Mazurka Op. 17 No.1, No.2, No.3 and No.4 played by Arthur RubinsteinArthur RubinsteinArthur Rubinstein KBE was a Polish-American pianist. He received international acclaim for his performances of the music of a variety of composers...
(YoutubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
) - Mazurka Op. 17 No.4 played by Vladimir HorowitzVladimir HorowitzVladimir Samoylovich Horowitz was a Russian-American classical virtuoso pianist and minor composer. His technique and use of tone color and the excitement of his playing were legendary. He is widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century.-Life and early...
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