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4 Polonaises (Clara Schumann)

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Quatre Polonaises pour le pianoforte by Clara Schumann was published in 1831, and is labeled as opus 1. A work labeled as a "Polonaise" exhibits musical characteristics evoking the Polish dance form by the same (French-labeled) name. A 3/4 time signature setting is primary among these musical characteristics, and these four pieces by Clara Schumann are all in 3/4. No tempo indications are given on the score for the first three pieces. All of the pieces are in ternary form, with the middle section of each labeled as a "Trio."

  • Polonaise 1 begins and ends in E-flat major. The middle Trio section is in A-flat major and is marked "delicato."
  • Polonaise 2 begins and ends in C major. The middle Trio section is in F major and is marked "con delicatezza."
  • Polonaise 3 begins and ends in D major and is expressively marked "risoluto." The key signature of the middle Trio section is overtly either F major or D minor. However, the use of chromatic tones obscures the tonic. This middle section is marked "espressivo."
  • Polonaise 4 begins and ends in C major and is expressively marked "risoluto". The tempo indication is 92 quarter notes to the minute, and the tempo marking is "Moderato." The middle Trio section is in A minor. The tempo indication is 120 quarter notes to the minute, and the tempo marking is "Vivace."

    • The Quatre Polonaises were recorded by Jozef De Beenhouwer for the Classic Produktion Osnabrück label in 2001 as part of Clara Schumann: Complete Piano Works (cpo 9997582)

    References

    4 Polonaises (Clara Schumann) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA