Waltz in E minor (Chopin)

The Waltz in E Minor, also known as Valse in E minor, op. posth., is a waltz for solo piano by Frédéric Chopin. It was composed in 1830. It lasts slightly less than three minutes.

tructure

Introduction

This waltz begins at a vivace tempo, with a series of E minor arpeggios with suspensions from D# minor in eighth notes in the right hand, accompanied by dotted half note chords in the left hand. The arpeggios rise in pitch and volume to reach a climax in the eighth bar at the top of the piano.

Theme 1

At this point, the score indicates "grazioso" (gracious), and a true waltz begins, with the melody still in the right hand, and the left-hand accompaniment in a steady, quarter-note rhythm, with a staccato bass note followed by mid range notes filling in the chords (with sustain pedal evening the texture).

ection 2

Theme 2

This is followed by a second theme (melody), whose harmony has a more chromatic texture. Although this is the final (fifteenth) waltz in the older editions of Chopin (other waltzes begin included in more recent editions), this waltz was likely composed before any of the waltzes published in Chopin's lifetime. The hint of chromaticism in this section, is not nearly as fully expressed as that in, for instance, in the opening bars of Waltz No.8 (Opus 64 No. 3) or his Revolutionary Étude, but perhaps foreshadows his future compositions.

Recapitulation

After this, the first theme returns, followed by a repeat back to the beginning of Theme 2.

ection 3: Dolce

The third, dolce (Italian for "sweet") middle section changes to the tonic major key (E major).

Theme 3

The first theme of this section is marked by long sustained notes in the right hand with the usual waltz rhythm continuing in the left hand.

Theme 4

The next section is a brief strident bridge in some combination of D Sharp and G Sharp minor, with the melody in the lower reaches of the left hand bass, and the accompaniment provided by solid chords in the right hand.

Theme 3: Recapitulation

After this somewhat jarring disturbance of the sweet calm, order is restored in a recapitulation of the third theme, followed by repeating from the beginning of Theme 4.

ection 4 (Coda)

In the final section (coda), the first theme returns, but with a more forceful accompaniment, brought to a close first by a diminuendo (growing softer) arpeggio toward the bottom of the piano, followed by a series of four note chords from both hands, each further apart with the final chord fortissimo at the ends of the instrument, a demonstration of the physical power and range of the Pleyel pianos available to Chopin.

References

*Chopin, Frederic. Waltz in E minor, Op. posth. 1830. Mississauga: Frederick Harris, 2001.
*cite web | title=Waltz for piano in E minor, KK IVa/15, CT. 222 (B. 56) | work=allmusic | url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=42:40581~T1 | accessdate=2006-03-12

External links

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