Chopin's Mazurkas

               The Mazurka             Chopin's Mazurkas

        The Mazurka (Polish: mazurek or mazur) is a Polish folk dance in triple meter
        usually at a lively tempo, and with strong accents unsystematically placed
        on the second or third beat.  Originally from the cultural region of Mazovia
        it is one of Poland's national dances. The Mazurka, alongside the polka dance, 
        became popular at the ballrooms of Europe in the 19th century, particularly 
        through the notable works by Frédéric Chopin.
 




            Mazurkas usually range from bright and playful, to wistful and melancholic. 

            Example of a mazurka  with Krzysztof Książek playing Op. 50 No. 3  (4:25)


       1.   Mazurka in C major, Op. 24 no. 2  (1834-5)  Martha Argerich  (2:10)

       2.   Mazurka in A minor, Op. 68 No. 2  (1826-7)  Grigory Skolov  (3:50)


       3.   Mazurka in F minor, Op. 68 No. 4  (1849)  Grigory Skolov  (3:50)


NEXT TIME:

       2.   Mazurka in A minor, Op. 17 No. 4  (1833)  

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