Nathaniel Joseph H.

Ortiz
Piano Literature 2

Assignment 4

Works of Frederic Chopin (1810 – 1849)

Four Ballades – composed between 1831 and 1842, they are considered as large works and some
of the most challenging pieces in the piano repertoire. The four ballades are said to have been
inspired by poet Adam Bernard Mickiewicz. The exact inspiration for each individual ballade,
however, is unclear and disputed.

Ballade No. 2 Op. 38 in F Major

The second ballade was composed in 1839. Robert Schumann, who had dedicated his
Kreisleriana, Op. 16, to Chopin, received the dedication of this Ballade in return. There is a
controversy that this ballade was based on "The pilgrim", Mickiewicz's story of the invasion by
warlike nomads and the struggle of young maidens under the form of water lilies. It was written
in compound duple (6/8) time. Two contrasting subjects repeat twice and a coda concludes. It
opens quietly on the dominant of the F major key, with repeated Cs in both the left and right
hands. This quickly progresses to a melody and development with the performance instruction
“sotto voce” in a quiet voice.

The next section of the ballade, in contrast to the first, opens with the performance
instruction “Presto con fuoco” very fast, with fire. It is in unusual key for a secondary melody;
instead of being in the parallel minor of F minor, it is in A minor.
The falling and rising arpeggio passages repeat twice in different minor keys and gradually fade
out with the a series of slowing phrases in the left hand. The first subject's motif reappears in
major scale but it is somewhat less peaceful. Some doubts are raised and lead to the second
tempest, which is much heavier and lasts longer than the first with the bold, cold double and
single trills.

The brilliant and dramatic coda develop through passages of double notes with two final
interference of tornados. The storm ends suddenly and the subject reappears the last time, but
now in A minor, suggesting that the calm atmosphere and optimism have finally returned, but in
such a sad memory.
Ballade No. 3 Op. 47 in A - flat Major

The third ballade was composed during 1840-41 and dedicated to Mademoiselle Pauline
de Noailles. According to Bourget and Schumann, this ballade was close to Mickiewicz's
"Switez," a tragic narration of man's uncertainty and beautiful maiden's deception. Quite
different from the first two ballades, this ballade opens with a very long introductory
conversation before the main theme appears.
This resembles a dance form among Chopin's ballades. The main theme is so elegant and
charming that it recaptures joy and happiness every time it reappears. The second subject begins
with the flowing of notes through A flat major and and E flat major, and goes through expressive
modulations and trills.

The reappearance of the main theme proposes a key change from A flat major to C sharp
minor, which leads to an agitated and turbulent section. The theme becomes darker and the storm
does not fade out completely; it becomes the background for the main theme to reappear for the
last time. A series of rising octaves and chords, a variant from the introduction, leads to the
climax of the ballade, and an abridged version of the second subject concludes the work in a
triumphant, but still elegant as always, manner.

Fantasy in F minor Op. 49

Today I finished the Fantasy - and the sky is beautiful, a sadness in my heart - but that's alright. If it were
otherwise, perhaps my existence would be worth nothing to anyone. Let's hide until death has passed.
(Chopin)

The Fantasy in F minor was completed and published in 1841, one of Chopin's largest
compositions for solo piano, usually last for 10 minutes in performance. The work shows this
master of the miniature applying himself to the problem of large-scale form, and in this respect is
very much a worthy counterpart of earlier composed Fantasies such as Mozart's K. 457. The
challenge composers faced was to avoid the seeming contradiction between the ideals of
composition and fantasy.

The piece starts off with a slow march-like theme which appears only once in the piece.
Then it follows three main groups of themes, each preceded by a sort of bridge passage that
serves as a refrain. This bridge is made up of arpeggios that rise upward and gradually increase
in tempo. The mood imparted by the first group of themes is one of intensity and passion, of
drive and excitement. Its chief theme is stormy and somewhat melancholy, and is the most
dominant melody in the work. The mood of the second theme group is subdued and has an air of
religiosity about its solemnity, while that of the third is a mixture of triumph and happy defiance.
The refrain closes the piece, leaving the listener in awe at the many moods and colorful writing
he or she has encountered in this somewhat enigmatic work.
Scherzo no. 2 opus 31 in B-flat minor

Chopin was a Polish composer born in 1810 and died in 1849. Chopin’s 4 Scherzos are
among the many works of this composer. A scherzo is usually in A B A form and in triple meter,
but it moves more quickly, generating energy and rhythm and humor – as scherzo is an Italian
word which literally means “a joke.”

However, given its literal definition, Chopin’s scherzos are never humorous, nor light-
hearted. Chopin showcases his lyrical and poetic prowess on the piano through adding
contrasting themes of his second scherzo.

The Scherzo in B-flat minor was written between the year 1835 and was published in
1837, and was dedicated to Countess Adele de Furstenstein, who was one of his students. The
pieces opens in the B-flat minor key; it could also be seen as possessing the form of a scherzo
with trio. It is in D-flat major that the first of the two complements to the Scherzo’s opening
theme proceeds. As the first part closes with the home key, it then transitions into a different key
(A Major) which is written in a choral style. After these choral themes were exposed, it then
progresses into a transition part which is filled with agitation and tension as it goes back to re-
stating the introduction and main theme in its home key, B-flat minor and closes with its coda.

Sources:
http://en.chopin.nifc.pl/chopin/genre/detail/id/17
http://en.chopin.nifc.pl/chopin/composition/detail/id/86
Kamien, Roger. Music: An Appreciation. 2006. McGrawHill Publishing House
http://www.ourchopin.com/analysis/ballade
http://www.allmusic.com/composition/fantasy-for-piano-in-f-minor-a-flat-major-op-49-c-42-
mc0002358949