Description
Composed around 1837, this set of four mazurkas juxtaposes an elegant D major piece with a more passionate, introspective one in A minor. The pieces balance salon-style refinement with the underlying structure of the folk dance. They work equally well performed as a complete set or individually, giving performers flexibility in programming, and the more expansive fourth piece stands out for its greater scale.
Works based on Polish folk dance, infused with Chopin's longing for his homeland — deeply personal music.
About the Composer
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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