Mazurkas, Op. 6 (Chopin)

The Mazurkas, Op. 6 are Frédéric Chopin's first set of mazurkas published during his lifetime. They were composed in 1830–1831 and were published in 1832. The set was dedicated to Grafin Pauline Plater.

The first mazurka of the set is a lively piece that makes use Polish folk rhythms and modes. The main theme, which revolves around triplets and brings heavy accents on the third beat of each bar, is quite melancholy, yet elegant in character. A second theme, marked fortissimo, offers a passage full of sforzandos and wedge accents. The original theme then returns, forte, but quickly decrescendos. These passages end with repeats. The third theme enters as an ostinato under a thundering accompaniment with a grace note before every chord. There is use of the Lydian mode, and the accents are even heavier than in the second section. After several percussive chords, the central theme returns and the mazurka gradually dies away. It takes around two and a half minutes to perform.^[1][2]

The second mazurka of the set, in C-sharp minor, is quite an outwardly dance-like piece, with a triple meter and bass line characteristic of a waltz. It starts with a slow introduction characterised by the play between the inner voices. The principal theme, returning a couple of times, although in slightly altered form, has a lyrical and almost melancholy character. The second theme makes use of the Lydian mode. The trio section provides a contrast with a more joyous theme. This then quickly fades into the opening introduction measures and the mazurka ends after the main theme is repeated twice. It lasts around two and a half minutes.^[3]

The third mazurka of the set, in E major and marked Vivace, is the only mazurka of the set in a major key and features a lively and joyful theme with accents on the third beat. The second theme alternates between chordal forte passages and lyrical ones. This quickly transitions to a third theme, which is characteristic of a kujawiak and more gentle than the previous two themes. The main theme then returns for the final time and the mazurka fades gracefully. Overall, the piece is very animated has a rhythmic drive that is quite rustic in feeling. It lasts around 2 minutes.^[4]

Mazurka No. 4 in E-flat minor, Op. 6 No. 4

Performed by Edward Neeman

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The final mazurka, in E-flat minor, is the shortest one of the set and involves a recurring, spinning melody that has a nostalgic quality. It is marked Presto and takes under a minute to perform.^[5]

This mazurka appears only in the Paris edition of op. 6. In Leipzig, it was published as op. 7, Nr. 5.

• Chopin Mazurkas, ABRSM, Edited by Thomas Fielden and Harold Craxton
• CHOPIN FRYDERYK - Mazurki (1) - z serii DZIEŁA WSZYSTKIE wyk. Henryk Sztompka; op.6 (fis-moll, cis-moll, E-dur, es-moll, C-dur) (PolishMusic.ca)

• Mazurkas, Op.6: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• [1]