The Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53 (French: Polonaise héroïque, Heroic Polonaise) for solo piano, was written by Frédéric Chopin in 1842.[1] This composition is among one of Chopin's most admired compositions and has been a favorite of the classical piano repertoire. The piece, which is very difficult, requires exceptional pianistic skills and great virtuosity to be interpreted at an appropriate level of quality.
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The polonaise features many difficult technical aspects, including:
The tempo of the piece is Alla polacca e maestoso ("like a polonaise and majestic"). The form is ternary (A-B-A), with an introduction of about thirty seconds in length.
The piece features a grand introduction with fast ascending chromatic notes in both hands, setting the mood of the piece; it shows the heroic side of Chopin's art. The first theme is a dance-like theme and in the tonic key of A-flat major. It is the familiar part of the piece, and has the left hand moving in pounding octaves. The theme is repeated up an octave with short trills that fill some of the auditory gaps in the theme. There is a brief interlude with a series of chord progressions that lead into a recount of the traditional polonaise melody, with the polonaise rhythm employed in the left-hand accompaniment. The theme of Section A then repeats once before closing. Section B opens with six loud arpeggio chords before switching to a very soft bass ostinato of descending octaves first in the key of E major and then in E-flat major (written as D-sharp major). A march-like melody follows the descending octaves and this occurs twice. Section B ends, with a long lyrical interlude firstly with harmonic chord progressions and frequent modulations. This ends in a descending passage before Section A is replayed. The theme is played louder and more dramatically and ends in a coda including material derived from the main theme.
A typical performance of the polonaise lasts seven minutes.[1]
| Book: Frédéric Chopin | |
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