Of all of Chopins compositions those which first brought him undoubted success in Paris were Nocturnes and Waltzes .The Waltz was initially a folk dance which originated in southern Germany (1750) and became very popular as a saloon music for the upper class. It was danced in slow 34 and 38. In the early 1911 the Waltz moved to cities and became popular among Viennas bourgeoisie. The Waltzes of Chopin have little in common with those by Schubert or those by the Lanner and Strauss circle. Nonetheless, his first compositions were influenced by the Viennese atmosphere and its typical rhythmic style. As Arthur Hedley wrote, The Chopin Waltz were never meant to be danced by ordinary mundane creatures of flesh and blood. Chopins Waltzes fall into two distinct categories: gracious and brilliantly decorated, or melancholy and nostalgic. The Waltz no.14 was composed as early as 1830 but was only published in Warsaw in 1868, after Chopins death. Just 8 Waltzes were published in his lifetime. The Waltz in E minor key belongs in those which have an influence from the vigorous dance rhythm of Viennese ones. It is neither complicated, nor a polyphonic composition. In the contrast simple melodies with virtuosic characteristics express feelings and oppositions that toggle the emotions. The piece is based on an eight-bar phrasing. It begins with an impressive introduction of arpeggios which peak with the use of crescendo to move from p to f. After the introduction ends, the first idea begins with repeated notes, gently accompanied by the bass. In this concept the first staccato crotchet in the base line gives a light dancing rhythm like the Viennese Waltz. The second idea has a contrast with the first one and is characterized by a dolce legato passage. Those elements are maintained after the end of the second eight-bar idea, and are well suited for the dolce character of a Waltz. The episode in the relative major key proceeds in a strong character with a dynamic range to move from p to ff. The piece closes with a brilliant coda that makes it popular and gives an impressive finale as most of Chopins pianistic philosophy pieces. F Chopin (1810-1849) Waltz no.14 in E minor (op.posth.) Performance (piano) & Programme notes by Panagiotis Markos
