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Frederick Chopin's works
Joanna Ławrynowicz
Tuesday, 01 July 2003
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A vast majority of all compositions written by Chopin are works for solo piano. Besides them there are also pieces for piano and orchestra, piano and cello, trio for piano, violin and cello, songs for voice with piano.
Chopin made use of various existing composition genres, e.g. nocturnes, etudes, sonatas. Moreover, he created new genres himself, e.g. mazurka. Mazurkas and polonaises, which he created throughout his whole life, are an important part of his works.
POLONAISES
In polonaises Chopin evokes a tradition of a Polish national dance. A part of polonaises have their opus numbers, which means that the composer gave them the numbers himself, and they were published before his death. Other polonaises are accompanied by letters posth., or have opus numbers higher than 65, which means that they were published after the composer's death.
Polonaise in B flat Major Op. posth.
Polonaise in g minor Op. posth.
Polonaise in A flat Major Op. posth.
Polonaise in g sharp minor Op. posth.
Polonaise in d minor Op. 71 no. 1
Polonaise in B flat Major Op. 71 no. 2
Polonaise in f minor Op. 71 no. 3
Polonaise in b flat minor Op. posth. Les Adieux
Polonaise in G flat Major Op. posth.
Polonaise in c sharp minor Op. 26 no. 1
Polonaise in e flat minor Op. 26 no. 2
Polonaise in A Major Op. 40 no. 1
Polonaise in c minor Op. 40 no. 2
Polonaise in f sharp minor Op. 44
Polonaise in A flat Major Op. 53
Polonaise-Fantaisie in A flat Major Op. 61
Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise in E flat Major Op. 22 (there are two versions: for solo piano and piano and orchestra)
Introduction and Polonaise in C Major for piano and cello Op. 3
MAZURKAS
Mazurkas are miniatures, i.e. short pieces of music which are derived from a half-utilitarian genre intended to accompany mazurka dance. Mazurkas are based on folk music tradition, especially on three traditional dances: mazur, oberek and kujawiak. Chopin created mazurkas since 1825 until his death.
4 Mazurkas Op. 6 in: f sharp minor, c sharp minor, E Major, e flat minor
5 Mazurkas Op. 7 in: B flat Major, a minor, f minor, A flat Major, C Major
4 Mazurkas Op. 17 in: B flat Major, e minor, A flat Major, a minor
4 Mazurkas Op. 24 in: g minor, C Major, A flat Major, b minor
4 Mazurkas Op. 30 in: c minor, b minor, D flat Major, c sharp minor
4 Mazurkas Op. 33 in: g sharp minor, C Major, D Major, b minor
4 Mazurkas Op. 41 in: e minor, B Major, A flat Major, c sharp minor
3 Mazurkas Op. 50 in: G Major, A flat Major, c sharp minor
3 Mazurkas op. 56 in: B Major, C Major, c minor
3 Mazurkas op. 59 in: a minor, A flat Major, f sharp minor
3 Mazurkas op. 63 in: B Major, f minor, c sharp minor
4 Mazurkas op. 67 in: G Major, g minor, C Major, a minor
4 Mazurkas op. 68 in: C Major, a minor, F Major, f minor
Mazurka in B flat Major
Mazurka in G Major
Mazurka in D Major
Mazurka in C Major
Mazurka in B flat Major
Mazurka in A flat Major
WALTZES
Works inspired by waltz dance form but having no utilitarian function, and destined for listening only. Chopin wrote 19 waltzes.
Grande Valse Brillante in E flat Major Op. 18
Grande Valse Brillante in A flat Major Op. 34 no. 1
Grande Valse Brillante in a minor Op. 34 no. 2
Grande Valse Brillante in F Major Op. 34 no. 3
Grande Valse in A flat Major Op. 42
Waltz in D flat Major Op. 64 no. 1
Waltz in c sharp minor Op. 64 no. 2
Waltz in A flat Major Op. 64 no. 3
Waltz in A flat Major Op. 69 no. 1
Waltz in b minor Op. 69 no. 2
Waltz in G flat Major Op. 70 no. 1
Waltz in A flat Major Op. 70 no. 2
Waltz in D flat Major Op. 70 no. 3
Waltz in e minor Op. posth.
Waltz in E Major Op. posth.
Waltz A flat Major Op. posth.
Waltz E flat Major Op. posth.
RONDOS
Rondo is a piece in which one principal subject is repeated several times (in a so called refrain), and is divided by various couplets. Chopin used this musical form with inherent ingenuity.
Rondo in c minor Op. 1
Rondo a la Mazur in F Major Op. 5
Rondo in E flat Major Op. 16
Rondo in C Major for 2 pianos Op. 73
Rondo in C Major Op. posth.
VARIATIONS
Variation is a cyclical form in which one musical theme is modified in various ways. Themes of Chopin’s variations were derived from song and opera repertoire. Classical, Viennese works were Chopin’s genre model.
Variations in E Major on theme of German folk song Der Schweitzerbub Op. posth.
Variations in D Major on theme of song by T. Moore Op. posth (four hands)
Variations in B flat Major on La ci darem la mano from Don Juan by Mozart
Op. 2 (for piano and orchestra)
Variations in A Major
Variations in B flat Major on rondo Je vends des scapulaires from opera Ludovic by Hérold and Halévy
Variations in E Major from Hexameron on theme of march from opera Puritans by Bellini
ETUDES
Chopin made out of etudes works not only intended for piano exercises, but went far beyond their practical function and gave them unique depth of expression.
12 Etudes Op. 10 in: C Major, a minor, E Major, c sharp minor, G flat Major, e flat minor, C Major, F Major, f minor, A flat Major, E flat Major, c minor
12 Etudes Op. 25 in: A flat Major, f minor, F Major, a minor, e minor, g sharp minor, c sharp minor, D flat Major, G flat Major, b minor, a minor, c minor
Trois Nouvelles Etudes in: f minor, A flat Major, D flat Major
PRELUDES
Preludes are a series of short pieces including all 24 keys. Chopin created his preludes in the winter of 1838/39 in Majorca. Chopin usually played a couple of preludes at the beginning of his recitals in Paris and London. Today, they are played in groups or as a whole.
Besides the series of 24 Preludes there is one more separate Prelude.
24 Preludes Op. 28 in: C Major, a minor, G Major, e minor, D Major, b minor, A Major,
f sharp minor, E Major, c sharp minor, B Major, g sharp minor, F sharp Major, e flat minor, D flat Major, b flat minor, A flat Major, f minor, E flat Major, c minor, B flat Major, g minor, F Major, d minor
Prelude in c sharp minor Op. 45
IMPROMPTUS
Compositions which give the impression of being improvised. At the time public improvisations on a given subject were very fashionable.
Impromptu in A flat Major Op. 29
Impromptu F sharp Major Op. 36
Impromptu G flat Major Op. 51
Impromptu-Fantasie in c sharp minor Op. posth. 66
NOCTURNES
Nocturnes are directly related with the genre created by an Irish John Field. The very name of nocturne can be loosely translated as „song of the night”.
3 Nocturnes Op. 9 in: b flat minor, E flat Major, B Major
3 Nocturnes Op.15 in: F Major, F sharp Major, g minor
2 Nocturnes Op.27 in: c sharp minor, D flat Major
2 Nocturnes Op.32 in: B Major, A flat Major
2 Nocturnes Op.37 in: g minor, G Major
2 Nocturnes Op.48 in: c minor, f sharp minor
2 Nocturnes Op.55 in: f minor, E flat Major
2 Nocturnes Op.62 in : B Major, E Major
Nocturne in e minor Op.72 no.1
Nocturne in c sharp minor Op.posth.
Nocturne e minor Op.posth.
BALLADES
Ballade as a genre of piano music was created by Chopin. Ballades are typically romantic and epic. This composition form was not known in instrumental music until Chopin.
Ballade in g minor Op. 23
Ballade in F Major Op. 38
Ballade in A flat Major Op. 47
Ballade in f minor Op. 52
SCHERZOS
Chopin's scherzos form a climax in the history of the genre. Each of his scherzos, though based on a long-known form, have their own shades of expression and their own forms.
Scherzo in b minor Op. 20
Scherzo in b flat minor Op. 21
Scherzo in c sharp minor Op. 39
Scherzo in E Major Op. 54
SONATAS
All of Chopin's sonatas consist of four movements and refer to a traditional sonata form. Along with ballades, scherzos and Fantasie in f minor Op 49, Sonatas in b flat minor and b minor are Chopin's greatest composition achievements; they are works technically superb, their expression is the most intense.
Sonata in c minor Op. 4
Sonata in b flat minor Op. 35
Sonata in b minor Op. 58
Sonata in g minor Op. 65 for piano and cello
PIECES FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA
Chopin wrote works for piano and orchestra only in his young years. He created them during his studies or soon after graduation. Both concerts consist of three movements. Other pieces are based on various genres, such as: variations, rondo, polonaise.
Variations in B flat Major Op. 2 on the theme La ci darem la mano from Mozart' s opera Don Juan
Concerto in e minor Op. 11
Fantasy on Polish Airs in A Major Op. 13
Rondo a la krakowiak in F Major Op. 14
Concerto in f minor Op. 21
Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise in E flat Major Op. 22
SONGS
Chopin composed songs during parties and receptions. They were written down in albums of singing ladies or improvised during meetings of Polish emigrants. They were inspired by lyrics of contemporary poets, among others: Mickiewicz, Pol, Krasiński.
Jakież kwiaty, jakie wianki Op. posth.
Życzenie (A Young Girl's Wish) Op. 74 no. 1
Gdzie lubi (A Girl's Desire) Op. 74 no. 5
Czary (Witchcraft) Op. posth.
Hulanka (A Drinking Song) Op. 74 no. 4
Precz z moich oczu (Out of My Sight) Op. 74 no. 6
Poseł (The Messenger) Op. 74 no. 7
Wojak (The Warrior) Op. 74 no. 10
Piosnka litewska (A Lithuanian Song) Op. 74 no. 16
Smutna rzeka (Sad River) Op. 74 no. 3
Narzeczony (The Betrothed) Op. 74 no. 15
Leci liście z drzewa (Leaves are Falling) Op.74 no. 17
Pierścień (The Ring) Op.74 no. 14
Moja pieszczotka (My Sweetheart) Op. 74 no. 12
Wiosna (Spring Song) Op. 74 no. 2
Śliczny chłopiec (The Handsome Lad) Op. 74 no. 8
Dwojaki koniec (Death's Divisions) Op. 74 no. 11
Nie ma, czego trzeba (Faded and Vanished) Op. 74 no. 13
Z gór, gdzie dźwigali ( Op. 74 no. 9
OTHER COMPOSITIONS
Trio in g minor Op. 8 for piano, violin and cello
Bolero in a minor Op. 19
Tarantella in A flat Major Op. 43
Allegro de Concert in A Major Op. 46
Fantasy in f minor Op. 49
Berceuse in D flat Major Op. 57
Barcarolle in F sharp Major Op. 60
Funeral March in c minor Op. posth.
Trois Ecossaises Op. 72 in: D Major, G Major, D flat Major
Allegretto Op. posth.
Grand duo concertant in E Major Op. posth. on themes from Meyerbeer's Robert Le Diable in E Major for piano and cello
Cantabile in B flat Major Op. posth.
Presto con leggierezza in A flat Major Op. posth.
Andantino in g minor Op. posth.
Sostenuto in E flat Major Op. posth.
Moderato in E Major Op. posth.
Largo in E flat Major Op. posth.
WORKS OF UNCERTAIN AUTHENTICITY
Mazurka in D Major
Mazurka in D Major (second version)
Mazurka in C Major
Waltz in E flat Major
Contredanse in G flat Major
Variations in E Major on theme Non piu mesta from opera Cinderella by Rossini,
(for flute and piano)
Fugue in a minor
Prelude in F Major
Andantino in d minor
Galop in A flat Major (Marquis)
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