Minute Waltz
Encyclopedia
The Waltz in D flat major, Op.
64, No. 1, popularly known as the Minute Waltz, and also Valse du petit chien, is a waltz
for solo piano
by Frédéric Chopin
. It is dedicated to the Countess Delfina Potocka
.
in Leipzig
the same year, as the first of the Trois Valses, Op. 64. The second waltz is in the enharmonic
parallel minor
key of C sharp minor.
marking Molto vivace. Although it has long been known as the "Minute Waltz", a nickname meaning a "small" waltz, given by its publisher, Chopin did not intend for this waltz to be played in one minute: a typical performance of the work will last between one and a half to two and a half minutes. The waltz is 138 measures long with one fifteen-measure repeat included, and thus it would have to be played at almost 420 quarter notes per minute in order to do it in one minute. Playing the piece as fast as possible is still a feat some pianists attempt. The waltz is a playful piece, more so than any of Chopin's other waltzes. Camille Bourniquel, one of Chopin's biographers, reminds the reader that Chopin got the inspiration for this waltz as he was watching a small dog chase its tail, which prompted the composer to name the piece Valse du petit chien ("The Little Dog Waltz").
on her 1966 album Color Me Barbra
. O'Kun's lyrics perpetuate the notion that the song should be performed in one minute, although Streisand's performance clocks in at just under two minutes.
Opus number
An Opus number , pl. opera and opuses, abbreviated, sing. Op. and pl. Opp. refers to a number generally assigned by composers to an individual composition or set of compositions on publication, to help identify their works...
64, No. 1, popularly known as the Minute Waltz, and also Valse du petit chien, is a waltz
Waltz (music)
A waltz, or valse from the French term, is a piece of music in triple meter, most often written in time signature but sometimes in 3/8 or 3/2...
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"....
. It is dedicated to the Countess Delfina Potocka
Delfina Potocka
Delfina Potocka, née Komar , a Polish countess, was a friend and muse to noted Polish expatriate artists Frédéric Chopin and Zygmunt Krasiński.-Life:...
.
History
Chopin wrote the waltz in 1847 and had it published by Breitkopf & HärtelBreitkopf & Härtel
Breitkopf & Härtel is the world's oldest music publishing house. The firm was founded in 1719 in Leipzig by Bernhard Christoph Breitkopf . The catalogue currently contains over 1000 composers, 8000 works and 15,000 music editions or books on music. The name "Härtel" was added when Gottfried...
in Leipzig
Leipzig
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...
the same year, as the first of the Trois Valses, Op. 64. The second waltz is in the enharmonic
Enharmonic
In modern musical notation and tuning, an enharmonic equivalent is a note , interval , or key signature which is equivalent to some other note, interval, or key signature, but "spelled", or named, differently...
parallel minor
Parallel key
In music, parallel keys are the major and minor scales that have the same tonic. A major and minor scale sharing the same tonic are said to be in a parallel relationship...
key of C sharp minor.
Tempo
The piece is given the 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:...
marking Molto vivace. Although it has long been known as the "Minute Waltz", a nickname meaning a "small" waltz, given by its publisher, Chopin did not intend for this waltz to be played in one minute: a typical performance of the work will last between one and a half to two and a half minutes. The waltz is 138 measures long with one fifteen-measure repeat included, and thus it would have to be played at almost 420 quarter notes per minute in order to do it in one minute. Playing the piece as fast as possible is still a feat some pianists attempt. The waltz is a playful piece, more so than any of Chopin's other waltzes. Camille Bourniquel, one of Chopin's biographers, reminds the reader that Chopin got the inspiration for this waltz as he was watching a small dog chase its tail, which prompted the composer to name the piece Valse du petit chien ("The Little Dog Waltz").
Media
Derivative works
A vocal version of the song, with lyrics by screenwriter Lan O'Kun, has been performed by multiple artists, including Barbra StreisandBarbra Streisand
Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,...
on her 1966 album Color Me Barbra
Color Me Barbra
Color Me Barbra is the title of the seventh studio album by singer Barbra Streisand released on Columbia Records in 1966. It reached #3 in the US albums charts and was certified GOLD by the RIAA...
. O'Kun's lyrics perpetuate the notion that the song should be performed in one minute, although Streisand's performance clocks in at just under two minutes.
Sheet Music
- Minute Waltz sheet music available at Musopen.com
- Quatre Mains version for Piano Duet.