Frédéric Chopin – a bicentenary focus - Page 6

A guide to the composer, his works and the essential recordings

Frédéric Chopin (photo: Tully Potter)

Piano Concerto No 2 in F minor (1829-30)

Introduced by Chopin in Warsaw on March 17, 1830, the Second Concerto’s slow movement (Larghetto) is “possibly on of the greatest pages ever written by Chopin” according to one critic. It was inspired by Constantia Gladowska, a young voice pupil with whom Chopin was madly in love. The concerto itself is dedicated to Countess Delphine Potocka, among the very few people to whom Chopin dedicated more than one piece (her name also appears on the ”Minute” Waltz) and it was she who sang to Chopin on his death-bed.

Recommended recording

Rubinstein; Philharmonia / Giulini (BBC Legends) Buy CD from Amazon

Polonaises (1817-46)

The first two of Chopin’s polonaises (officially No 13 in G minor and No 14 in B flat) were written in 1817 when Chopin was only seven. The character and rhythm of this old Polish dance form attracted Chopin throughout his life and the later polonaises reflect thee hapless condition of his native land, full of defiance and pride. No 3 in A (Military) is one of Chopin’s best-known works, closely followed No 6 in A flat (Heroic) with a “cavalry charge” in the middle. You should also try the Polonaise-fantaisie in A flat, a more extended piece in which Chopin strives to develop the form. Many consider this to be among his most profound and personal creations.

Recommended recordings

Rubinstein (RCA) Download from Amazon

Pollini (DG) Download from Amazon and buy CD from Amazon

24 Preludes (1939)

The prelude was originally an introductory piece of music (the opening movement of a suite, say). Chopin liked to create new forms from old titles and these preludes preface nothing – they are their own self-contained thoughts. There is one written in each major and minor key. Many were composed at Valdemossa in Majorca where Chopin and George Sand spent a few unhappy months. Look out for No 7 in A, No 15 in D flat (Raindrop) and No 20 in C minor (Rachmaninov and Busoni each wrote sets of variations on this, and Barry Manilow used it as the basis for his song “Could it be magic?”). Nos 4 in E minor and 6 in B minor were played on the organ at Chopin’s funeral.

Recommended recordings

Argerich (DG) Download from Passionato

Sokolov (Opus 111) Download from Amazon Buy CD from Amazon