a listening guide
Chopin in fifty minutes: the forms you will hear
What a mazurka, a nocturne, an étude, a waltz, a polonaise and a ballade are, and where they turn up in these concerts.
Reserve your Chopin seats ↗Six forms, six moods
| Form | What it is | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Mazurka | Polish form in triple metre built on stylised rural dances | All three concerts |
| Nocturne | A piece evocative of the night | First recital; candle-glow programme |
| Étude | A study piece lifted into the concert hall | Candle-glow programme |
| Waltz | A dance in triple time | Candle-glow programme; candlelight with wine |
| Polonaise | A walking dance that began in Poland | First recital; candlelight with wine |
| Ballade | A narrative piece for solo piano | Candle-glow programme; candlelight with wine |
The mazurka
A Polish musical form in triple metre, usually lively, with strong accents placed on the second or third beat. It spread through the ballrooms and salons of the 19th century, above all through Chopin's own.
The nocturne
A nocturne is simply music inspired by the night. It suits a candlelit room, and the candle-glow programme includes Chopin's Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2.
The étude
An étude is a study piece for perfecting a technical skill. Chopin, Liszt and Debussy were among the composers whose études earned a place in the concert repertoire.
The waltz
A dance in triple time that began in the German-speaking lands in the 18th century. The candle-glow programme includes Chopin's Waltz Op. 64 No. 2.
The polonaise
The polonaise is a dance that originated in Poland, first known as a walking dance, and it still opens balls and student balls in Poland today.
The ballade
Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 was completed in 1835 and typically lasts nine to ten minutes. It closes the candle-glow programme as published.