Thank you for posting, beautiful interpretation and analysis. [Thank you also for mentioning Felix Mendelssohn, the genius without whom J. S. Bach's works would be lost, and his sister Fanny, an underrated genius.] This is my favorite Chopin's opus of Mazurkas. The A minor and the F# minor are also masterpieces, but Artur Rubinstein called this one, the A-flat, "the most beautiful of all Mazurkas" and I have to have to agree. Op. 59 is unfortunately neglected but it should be played more often. I started learning Chopin's Mazurkas when I was in elementary school, with Op. 7 #1 in B-flat, then progressed to Op. 6 (all 4). They are the foundation of my research on Polish folk music which I carried into my later years. Bravo!
OMG! These are what are known as "Antecedent and Consequent" phrases of 4 bars each - one ending on the tonic, the other, the Dominant. Only about 5 billion pieces of music were written this was from about 1730 to 1890. You might have mentioned the importance of the rhythmic emphasis on the second beat (occasionally shifting to the third) very typical of the Mazurka dance. Chopin ingeniously infuses that emphasis not by loud chords or accent marks but by simply articulating the rhythm to accomplish this: either but using two-eighth notes on the first beat followed by a quarter on the second beat or by employing a rest on the first beat. Brilliant. This is found in many of the Mazurkas!
Thank you Greg for your desire to spread the word of this wonderful Mazurka that should be more known by now.
Thank you!!!!
Thank you for posting, beautiful interpretation and analysis. [Thank you also for mentioning Felix Mendelssohn, the genius without whom J. S. Bach's works would be lost, and his sister Fanny, an underrated genius.] This is my favorite Chopin's opus of Mazurkas. The A minor and the F# minor are also masterpieces, but Artur Rubinstein called this one, the A-flat, "the most beautiful of all Mazurkas" and I have to have to agree. Op. 59 is unfortunately neglected but it should be played more often. I started learning Chopin's Mazurkas when I was in elementary school, with Op. 7 #1 in B-flat, then progressed to Op. 6 (all 4). They are the foundation of my research on Polish folk music which I carried into my later years. Bravo!
So inspirational. Amazing how much Chopin packed into a composition. A life long study.
OMG! These are what are known as "Antecedent and Consequent" phrases of 4 bars each - one ending on the tonic, the other, the Dominant. Only about 5 billion pieces of music were written this was from about 1730 to 1890. You might have mentioned the importance of the rhythmic emphasis on the second beat (occasionally shifting to the third) very typical of the Mazurka dance. Chopin ingeniously infuses that emphasis not by loud chords or accent marks but by simply articulating the rhythm to accomplish this: either but using two-eighth notes on the first beat followed by a quarter on the second beat or by employing a rest on the first beat. Brilliant. This is found in many of the Mazurkas!
Of course! You know it, but many of others don't!
@@gregniemczuk Yes! That's why they should be told!
For me, these lectures are a huge gift. I've played many of these pieces over the years but have now been given many news ideas for them. Bravo!
You made me smile with gratefulness
Thanks my friend❤️
❤️❤️❤️
Warm congrats Greg! Wonderful lecture!!
Thank you very much!
Absolutely wonderful! Love your enthusiasm and the joy you speak with and of course Mazurkas.
Thank you very much!!
@@gregniemczuk It's my pleasure Greg.. looks like I will have a lot to listen to :) And post !