ChopinMusic Forum

[Amnesia]

The only set of pieces by Chopin I don't listen to enough. What do you think of them, and which is your favorite Mazurka?

Any suggests for mazurkas to learn would also be appreciated

[Jeliness2]

I have only heard Op.6 no.1(i think), op.33 and Op.24. i've only played Op.24 no.1 in g minor.

I can't say that these are my favorite, but they do have a great unique quality about them.

[Philip Daniel]

I love all the mazurkas, as they reveal Chopin's formalistic genius even more than some of his {nevertheless excellent} large-scale pieces. The later mazurkas are especially interesting, for their wealth of forward-looking harmonic & contrapuntal invention, especially the three mazurkas opus 59 and the three mazurkas opus 63. My all-time favorite, though, is the beautiful Mazurka opus 30 #4 in C-sharp minor.

[virtuoso_735]

I like the Chopin mazurkas a lot, they show the patriotic and ephemeral side of Chopin's music. They contain a lot of nationalistic flavor, and though mazurkas are technically dances, the Chopin mazurkas, as the composer himself says, are not dances of the feet, but the dances of the soul. Each mazurka is a gem, each one having a memorable melody and advanced harmonies. I have yet to listen too many of them, as I have heard perhaps less than half. My favorites at the moment are op.59, mazurka no.1 and the in C# minor op.6, and the op.56 in A minor, and op.63 in C# minor.

[WinterWind_23]

The mazurkas reflect Poland and it's elements musically. Most are very nice trifles.

I have learned op.17 no.4 and op.33 no.1. They are both very sad and tragic. They are also popular, you might want to try them.

I concede that the mazurkas are one of the sets I haven't heard much yet, along the polonaises.

[Fryderyk]

Nothing can beat the the phenomenal recording of Jean-Marc Luisada.

[Thracozaag]

I would think Kapell's (Rubinstein's first set, and Friedmann's) would.

koji

[Goldberg]

The mazurkas have always been, and remain to be, my favourite collective body of pieces by Chopin, for some of the reasons mentioned by Philip. I just love their unique nuances and flavour--true Chopin in my opinion! (I might also note that the Rondos are high on my list as well, but the nocturnes earn second place)

I don't know the op. no's of my favourites, though (too many); I've just been using them for sight reading material for a few days now and--like the Haydn sonatas--they've quite surprised me, even though I've always liked them.