Three mazurkas Op.59 (Chopin).

Between 1825 and 1849 Chopin composed at least 59 mazurkas, based on traditional Polish dance. Of these, 58 were published, 45 during his lifetime and 13 posthumously. The composer usually published them in groups of three or four. These sophisticated and highly original pieces display a wealth of ingenuity and melodic invention with their unstable harmonies and rhythmic and expressive nuances.
This set was composed and published in 1845.
The three are:-
1. Moderato (medium speed) in A minor.
2. Allegretto (fairly fast) in A flat major.
3. Vivace (lively) in F# minor.
All dances/minuets are in 3/4 time in the classical era.
(I feel that the mazukas have a greater meaning to Chopin than simply mere dance music:-
the first mazurka is somewhat inward-looking, constantly being interupted by the recurring motif of the beginning which causes Chopin to dwell on occasions when he attended ballroom events. The middle of this mazurka livens-up when he thinks of happier times, but it again sinks into his own deeper emotions.
The second is much more light-hearted being a graceful dance where everyone can shake off the woes of every-day life. The middle section sees the throng enjoying an intimate tete-a-tete with each other before being swept up with the dancers once more. At the end there is a winding-down of the revelrie as people begin to depart.
The third mazurka has a much more earthy quality, such as village folk would appreciate, where there is much use of handkerchiefs or scarves as part of the dance routine, and much gay abandonment with shrieks and laughter. The piece ends with a feeling of regret by Chopin for the passing of such gatherings).
GlynGlynn, alias GB, realiser.
Please feel free to leave any comments, be they good, bad, or indifferent as to whether the piece, or the performance, moved you in any way whatsoever!
(Since music is an aural art, and not a visual one, it is best to listen to these pieces, and other artists performances, with eyes closed, so as to be able to listen intently as to how the music is portrayed).

[@AntonioCasoriaComposer]

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