Sarah Kendall Chopin piano Waltz No.10

Chopin’s Waltz No.10, Op.69 No.2, is one of his most famous and popular works for solo piano. It was composed in 1829, when Chopin was only 19 years old, but it was published posthumously in 1852, along with another waltz in A-flat major, Op.69 No.11. Chopin dedicated this waltz to his friend, the Baroness Charlotte de Rothschild, who was a talented amateur pianist and a patron of the arts2. The waltz is in B minor, a rare and somber key for a dance piece. It has a melancholic and nostalgic mood, contrasting with the lively and cheerful character of most waltzes. The main theme, marked Moderato, consists of a graceful melody in the right hand, accompanied by a simple bass line and broken chords in the left hand. The melody has a lyrical and expressive quality, with many ornaments and rubato. The theme is repeated several times, with slight variations and modulations, creating a sense of continuity and development. The second theme, marked Piu lento, is in D major, the relative major of B minor. It has a more serene and tender character, with a cantabile melody in the right hand, supported by arpeggios and chords in the left hand. The melody has a long and elegant phrase, with a wide range and a rich harmonic progression. The theme is also repeated several times, with some changes and embellishments, creating a contrast and a balance with the first theme. The waltz ends with a coda, marked Tempo I, which returns to the main theme in B minor. The melody becomes more agitated and restless, with chromatic and dissonant notes, while the accompaniment becomes more dense and complex, with octaves and chords. The waltz reaches a climax, with a fortissimo and a rapid scale in the right hand, followed by a sudden silence. The final bars are very soft and delicate, with a descending arpeggio and a gentle chord, fading away in the distance. Chopin’s Waltz No.10, Op.69 No.2, is a masterpiece of romantic piano music, combining elegance and emotion, simplicity and sophistication, beauty and sadness. It is a reflection of Chopin’s own personality and feelings, as well as a tribute to his friend and muse, the Baroness de Rothschild. It is a piece that appeals to both the heart and the mind, and that challenges and rewards the performer and the listener alike.#frédéric chopin#fryderyk chopin#best of chopin#classical piano music#relaxing piano music#classical music#classical music for studying#chopin nocturne#classical music for relaxation#relaxing classical music#classical music for reading