Chopin's Waltzes

   The Waltz   -  List of Chopin's waltzes

          Roots of the waltz: 

                Ländler  -  An 19th century German 3/4 time dance 

                      Example of the ländler  (1:50) 

         There are between 19 & 21 extant waltzes that are generally agreed to
          be Chopin's, and then numerous others that are disputed, and even 
          more have been lost.


          Chopin - Grand Valse Brillante in Eb major, Op 18  (1833)  
                                                  Lang Lang  -  (3:30)

                Chopin labeled his first four waltzes 'Grand Valse Brillante.'  Op. 18  
                was Chopin's first waltz Brillante.  "Brillante" in the romantic music 
                = 'bright, dashing, showy, or spirited' in many piano genres, not 

                just waltzes.  

                In places, Chopin uses some dissonances in the melody lines, but in 

                this case the effect is comical rather than dark and disturbing.


          Chopin - Waltz in C sharp minor, Opus 64 No. 2 - Yuja Wang  (4:20)

                Op. 64 (1847)  is a set of three waltz, the last Chopin published in his 
                life.  No. 1 of the set is the famous 'Minute Waltz.'


                   Zoltán Kocsis plays the complete (19) Chopin waltzes