Frédéric Chopin, though emotionally a high-romantic, was by conviction a classicist who worshipped Bach, revered Beethoven, and played Mozart at his last Paris concert.
Compositional Technique
In Chopin's music, the left hand consistently functions like the second violins or violas in a classical orchestra, supporting the whole and keeping the musical structure together.
Composition History
Chopin's Variations in B flat major, Op. 2, based on 'Là ci darem la mano' from Mozart's Don Giovanni, was originally for piano and orchestra and premiered with Chopin as soloist in Vienna in 1829.
Composer Biography
Chopin spent his first twenty formative years, over half his lifespan, around Warsaw and was proud to be a Pole, expressing himself in traditional Polish dance types.
Critical Reception
Robert Schumann famously hailed Chopin's 'Là ci darem' Variations, Op. 2, in the Leipzig Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung in 1831, exclaiming, 'Off with your hats, gentlemen - a genius!'
Interpretation
Chopin rarely played his music the same way twice, and at his final Paris recital, he famously changed the dynamics of his Barcarolle from forte crescendo to pianissimo.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Chopin's art is about suggestion and impression; he told von Lenz, 'I indicate; it's up to the listener to complete the picture.'
You might also enjoy...
Nikolai Demidenko plays Chopin
Chopin: Twelve Études, Op. 25
Chopin: Waltz in E Major, B. 44, Waltz in A Minor, B. 150 & Waltz in E Minor, B. 56
