Fantaisie in F minor, Op. 49 (Chopin).

This work is like a pre-run of the polonaise-fantasy in that Chopin encapsulates the turmoil and tribulations of the Polish people with warring factions surrounding his homeland.
The Fantaisie was composed in 1841, when Chopin was 31 years old, about ten years after the composer fled his native Poland in the wake of a brutal invasion by the Russian army.
From Chopin's letters it is known that he used the name "fantasy" to show some sort of freedom from rules and give a Romantic expression.
‘Today I finished the Fantasy, and the sky is beautiful, but my heart is sad; but that doesn’t matter at all. If it were otherwise, my existence would perhaps be of no use to anyone.’ Here Chopin unaffectedly admitted in 1841 what salon listeners then, and modern audiences now, have immediately intuited, that an air of overriding melancholy not only lends expressive force to his creative work, but also identifies it as something unique to be revered.
Being a free-flowing fantasy, there are many contrasting elements:
It begins Tempo di Marcia (Grave)(Speed of a solemn march) in 4/4 which then goes to 2/2 in the faster triplet section.
The hymn-like middle section is marked Lento sostenuto (slow amd sustained) in 3/4 but returns to 2/2 for the fast section again.
The ending is Adagio sostenuto (very slow and sustained) for a short contemplative recitative.
Then a short coda marked Allegro assai (very fast) concludes the work.
(Being surrounded by warring factions, Poland is not situated for a peaceful life. Chopin was uprooted in approximately 1830/31, making a lasting impression upon him. This fantasy has elements of a Polonaise: it begins with a ponderous march followed by much greater outward showings of strength and fearlessness. The middle section is full of sadness and regret of what has to be sacrificed for success at repelling invaders. The final section recalls the first part, but with a much more rousing and triumphant march).
GlynGlynn, alias GB, realiser.
Please feel free to leave any comments, be they good, bad, or indifferent as to whether the piece, or the performance, moved you in any way whatsoever!
(Since music is an aural art, and not a visual one, it is best to listen to these pieces, and other artists performances, with eyes closed, so as to be able to listen intently as to how the music is portrayed).