Andante spianato et grande polonaise brillante in

E-flat major E-flat major (or the key of E-flat) is a major scale based on E, consisting of the pitches E, F, G, A, B, C, and D. Its key signature has three flats. Its relative minor is C minor, and its parallel minor is E minor, (or enharmonically ...

, Op. 22, was composed by Frédéric Chopin between 1830 and 1834. The ''Grande polonaise brillante'' in E-flat, set for piano and orchestra, was written first, in 1830-31. In 1834, Chopin wrote an ''Andante spianato'' in G, for piano solo, which he added to the start of the piece, and joined the two parts with a fanfare-like sequence. The combined work (both orchestrated version and solo piano version) was published in 1836, and was dedicated to Madame d'Este.

Music

The ''Grande polonaise brillante'' is a work for

piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keybo ...

and

orchestra An orchestra (; ) is a large instrumental ensemble typical of classical music, which combines instruments from different families. There are typically four main sections of instruments: * bowed string instruments, such as the violin, viola, c ...

, although the piano part is often played on its own. The ''Andante spianato'' (spianato means "even" or "smooth") for solo piano was composed as an introduction to the polonaise after Chopin received a long-awaited invitation to perform in one of Habeneck’s

Conservatoire A music school is an educational institution specialized in the study, training, and research of music. Such an institution can also be known as a school of music, music academy, music faculty, college of music, music department (of a larger ins ...

Concerts in Paris. This was the only time Chopin had ever used the term ''spianato'' as a description for any of his works. Chopin’s first work, written at age seven, had been a

polonaise The polonaise (, ; pl, polonez ) is a dance of Polish origin, one of the five Polish national dances in time. Its name is French for "Polish" adjective feminine/"Polish woman"/"girl". The original Polish name of the dance is Chodzony, meani ...

. Chopin also used the Polonaise form in his earlier work the ''Introduction and Polonaise brillante in C major, Op. 3''. The ''Grande polonaise brillante'' of 1830–31 was to be the last such he would compose for several years. It preoccupied Chopin in his final months at Warsaw. It was finished at Vienna in 1831.

Movements

*Andante spianato in

G major G major (or the key of G) is a major scale based on G, with the pitches G, A, B, C, D, E, and F. Its key signature has one sharp. Its relative minor is E minor and its parallel minor is G minor. The G major scale is: Notable composi ...

The quiet rippling effects of this introductory section are borne in a gentle 6/8, rounded with a chordal trio, and a more processional 3/4. The serene middle section (in G major) is not a trio, but only a contrasting episode to complement the overall texture of the movement. *Grande polonaise brillante in

The polonaise opens in fanfare and moves into an ebullient dance form.

Technical difficulties

The grande polonaise brillante is among Chopin's most technically demanding pieces. Technical aspects include: * fast descending thirds * rapid, difficult octave and chord jumps * trills with thirds * quick scales * fast arpeggios in both hands * broken chords * use of a wide range on the piano keyboard.

In popular culture

The 2002 film ''The Pianist'' concludes with this polonaise. The song “La Soledad” by pop band

Pink Martini Pink Martini is an American band that was founded in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in Portland, Oregon. Group members call it a little orchestra that crosses several styles, such as classical, latin, traditional pop, and jazz. The co-lead vo ...

begins with an excerpt of the Andante spianato movement and makes use of various melodies from the piece throughout the song.

References

External links

* {{Authority control Polonaises by Frédéric Chopin 1834 compositions Concertante works by Frédéric Chopin Compositions in E-flat major Music with dedications Polonaises