Description
This set of four mazurkas from 1835 is best known for its melancholic C-sharp minor finale, which transcends simple dance music with profound lyrical depth. The set alternates between lighter, more dance-driven pieces and more introspective ones, creating an effective contrast across its four movements and a satisfying overall arc when performed as a whole, with each piece brief enough to sustain concentration.
Works based on Polish folk dance, infused with Chopin's longing for his homeland — deeply personal music.
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Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849)
Frederic Chopin was born in Poland and made his career in Paris, remaining unusual among great composers for writing almost exclusively for piano. He poured his longing for his homeland into mazurkas and polonaises, while his ballades and etudes combine poetic melody with harmonic innovation. This site includes 131 of his works, including the "Revolutionary" Etude, Op. 10, No. 12, and Ballades No. 1 and No. 4.
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