Many of Chopin's later Mazurkas, including Opp. 50 and 59, were composed during his long summers at George Sand's manor house in Berry, France.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Chopin's early Mazurkas, Opp. 6 and 7, are considered the first canonical repertory of European nationalism in art music, predating similar works by Glinka.
Compositional Technique
Chopin's later Mazurkas, such as Opp. 50 and 59, display a growing interest in contrapuntal methods, sometimes featuring strict imitative counterpoint within a dance piece.
Composition History
Chopin wrote to his family that his Op. 6 Mazurkas were "not for dancing," indicating a new artistic ambition for the genre.
Composition History
Some of Chopin's posthumously published Mazurkas, like WN 41, were originally private gifts to young ladies during his early years in Paris.
Performer Biography
Ingrid Fliter has recorded both Chopin piano concertos, the complete Chopin Preludes, and Chopin Nocturnes, earning her a reputation as a pre-eminent interpreter of Chopin.
Performer Biography
Ingrid Fliter, the pianist on this album, was the recipient of the 2006 Gilmore Artist Award, an honor given to only a handful of pianists and the only woman to receive it.
