Chopin was half Polish and half French. He grew up in Poland, where he studied music and began composing. In 1830, when he was 20 years old, he left Poland to go to Paris without knowing that the political events that followed would not allow him to return. The Polonaises as well as the Mazurkas were traditional Polish dance genres clearly related to nationalism. Chopin composed 52 out of the 57 Mazurkas and 7 out of 15 Polonaises after 1830, which shows how much his music was influenced by nationalism. He also includes Polish elements in some of his other compositions. The 1830 Polish revolution against Russians, influenced many of the Poles and especially the ones who where exiled in Paris who were bound together by their cause of independence for Poland, and the concept of Polish nationalism developed among them. Chopins style in composing the first Polonaise in C sharp minor and generally all of his later ones was highly influenced by nationalism. After the revolution he modified the tradition elements in order to make his later Polonaises sound more aggressive, in order to express his inner feelings. He uses the following elements in this piece in order to create a heroic effect, and reflect the national struggle of Poland: The first two bars begin with ff and as the octave passages develop, the music becomes more powerful resulting in fff in the third bar. Ending the answering phrase comes with a full chordal perfect cadence in the fourth bar. The rhythm is following a typical Polish folk music style and the way it is expressed at the beginning shows the revolutionary character of the Polonaises. Its distinguishing rhythm is a measure of six eights, though sometimes written in three fours of which the second eight is divided into two sixteens. Its always a promenade march. The next eight measures is more calm and more narrative. It begins with an f crescendo which leading to a p and finally a pp. After the repetition Chopin maintains the momentum through syncopation, increasing dynamics, and a rapid, rising flourish that spans nearly two octaves. In the middle section in D flat major, a gently melodic line, calm inner ornaments and the expressive harmonies create a lyrical episode .In the secondary theme which follow, the indication molto espressivo (much expressive one), gives in the melodic line of basso a more dramatic character. The Numerous repetitions through the piece increase the sense of contrast and create a more intense narrative character. The above elements reflect Chopins emotions at the time, as a supporter of the struggle of the Polish nation for freedom. Polonaise op.26, no.1 in C sharp minor F Chopin (1810-1849). Panagiotis Markos preparing the Polonaise Op 26, no.1 for his public recital. This video was recorded in Deptford Town Hall (London) by a mobile camera. Performance (piano) & programme notes:Panagiotis Markos.
