Mazurkas, Op. 59 (Chopin)
Encyclopedia
Mazurkas, Op. 59 are a set of three Mazurka
s for solo piano
by Frédéric Chopin
. The set was composed and published in 1845.
Mazurka conveys a warm and comforting portrait, it concludes with an ascending melody.
The piece begins with a memorable main theme that Chopin varies from time to time in order to maintain the piece’s interest. The trio section of the piece is very similar to the main theme, providing little contrast. The piece concludes with an interesting coda
, full of accidentals and chromatic harmonies and finishing on a dominant chord, repeated 4 times.
-like composition. The piece begins with a memorable and powerful melody, the second theme is somewhat more joyful than the first. The left hand accompaniment of the piece experiments with descending chromatic harmonies, although this does not affect the melody which remains defined throughout the piece.
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 solo 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"....
. The set was composed and published in 1845.
Mazurka in A minor, Op. 59, No. 1
Mazurka in A minor is the opening piece of the set. This highly chromaticChromaticism
Chromaticism is a compositional technique interspersing the primary diatonic pitches and chords with other pitches of the chromatic scale. Chromaticism is in contrast or addition to tonality or diatonicism...
Mazurka conveys a warm and comforting portrait, it concludes with an ascending melody.
Mazurka in A-flat major, Op. 59, No. 2
Mazurka in A-flat major is the second and shortest of the Op. 59 mazurkas, lasting around 2 and a half minutes.The piece begins with a memorable main theme that Chopin varies from time to time in order to maintain the piece’s interest. The trio section of the piece is very similar to the main theme, providing little contrast. The piece concludes with an interesting coda
Coda (music)
Coda is a term used in music in a number of different senses, primarily to designate a passage that brings a piece to an end. Technically, it is an expanded cadence...
, full of accidentals and chromatic harmonies and finishing on a dominant chord, repeated 4 times.
Mazurka in F-sharp minor, Op. 59, No. 3
Mazurka in F-sharp minor, the final piece of the set is a waltzWaltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
-like composition. The piece begins with a memorable and powerful melody, the second theme is somewhat more joyful than the first. The left hand accompaniment of the piece experiments with descending chromatic harmonies, although this does not affect the melody which remains defined throughout the piece.
External links
- [ Mazurkas Op. 59 at Allmusic]