Polonaises (2) for piano, Op. 40, CT. 152-153
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Polonaises (2) for piano, Op. 40, CT. 152-153
- Date: 1839
- Composer: Frédéric Chopin
- Period: Romantic (1820-1869)
Review
The first of these two polonaises, the A major, nicknamed the "Military," dates to 1838, and the latter, in C minor, comes from the winter of 1838-1839. Both are well known in the composer's output, but the "Military" is clearly the more popular, while its dark sibling is deeper and perhaps the better piece.That said, the "Military" Polonaise is a finely-crafted composition, whose bright colors and martial demeanor may flirt with the bombastic in places, but never quite attain it. What is remarkable about the piece is its deliberate "Military" stiffness: both hands play in-step much of the time, as if in response to the demanding beat of a military drum. This work's outer sections feature a memorable Chopin theme comprised of big chords in which the proud, muscular melody ascends in each of its three phrases, until a resolute plateau is reached. The middle section features greater freedom in the writing for the two hands of the soloist but still remains militaristic in its march-like manner. The recapitulation is a rather straightforward restatement of the main thematic material, with no coda following.
The C minor polonaise begins with an ominous theme in the bass, whose tolling-bell accompaniment of insistent chords imparts an atmosphere of grim urgency. While the mood brightens a bit with a livelier second subject, the dark character of the piece is relieved only in the gentle but schizophrenic middle section, whose subdued music is interrupted by violent outbursts seemingly intent on disrupting the calm, which one senses is only temporary at best, anyway. The foreboding main theme returns to close this sinister piece.
Anton Rubinstein related these works to the composer's beloved Poland, calling the first "Poland's Glory" and the latter "Poland's Collapse." Both these descriptions may be too specific and imply programmatic content that Chopin may never have intended, but they still have validity here since this composer wore his nationality proudly, not simply allowing it to seep into his music to become one of many characteristics, but encouraging it to become an essential ingredient. The "Military" Polonaise lasts about six minutes in a typical performance, while the C minor runs about eight minutes. ~ Robert Cummings, Rovi
Albums with Complete Performances of the Work
Albums with Excerpt Performances of the Work
| Polonaises (2) for piano, Op. 26, CT. 150-151 | |
| Polonaises (2), for piano, Op. 8 |
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