A guide to Chopin's music
Here's a quick introduction to the major types of music that the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin wrote. What's a prelude? Where is the word 'nocturne' from? What about a polonaise? Find out all this and more about the great musical pieces Chopin left the world when he died at only 39.
Prelude: Chopin wrote 24 preludes, one in every major and minor key. In music, preludes used to be short introductions but Chopin made them into a self-contained musical form, exploring a mood or emotion. Listen to his most famous prelude No 4 with its tender melody played for us by Paul Richardson (baby)
Nocturne: The word nocturne comes from the word ‘night’, originally describing music inspired by twilight and darkness and it has a tranquil, reflective mood. Chopin wrote 21 nocturnes with the right hand playing the melody and the left hand accompanying with broken chords. Check out Nocturne No 2 played by Paul Richardson.
Chopin wrote 12 études which are among his most technically difficult pieces. You can listen to Etude No 3.
Waltz: The waltz was a popular dance form when Chopin was alive . He wrote 36 waltzes in 3/4 time, not for dancing but for concert performance. Check out Esther Abrami playing Waltz no 1 in A minor.
Polonaise and Mazurka: Loving his homeland, it’s not surprising that Polish dances inspired Chopin.
The polonaise which is the French word for Polish was a popular student dance back in the day. Chopin wrote his first polonaise when he was 7 and wrote 17 more during his life. Here’s his Military polonaise played by Luis Sarro.
The mazurka is another polish dance with a strong beat, whirling music and sudden stops. Check out his mazurka in D Major played by Christoph Zbinden.
In Chopin, music found a pianist and composer with rare gifts - his unique sense of melody and his ability to express heartfelt emotions with such purity and tenderness means that he lives on through his music and will never be forgotten.