New sheet music: Chopin – Four Concert Pieces

Four concert pieces by Chopin in editions by Mikuli (solo piano part with orchestral cues) have been added to our sheet music library.

Opus 2: Variations on Mozart’s ‘La ci darem la mano’

The variations on a theme from Mozart‘s opera Don Giovanni was the first of Chopin’s works to be published outside his own country. This is the piece Schumann reviewed with the famous words: “Hats off, gentlemen, a genius”
Read Schumann’s review:
An Opus 2 – original article and translation

Opus 13: Fantasy on Polish Airs

Preceeded by an introduction, the Fantasy includes a Polish popular song (Juz miesiac zaszedl), an air by the Polish composer Kurpinski and finally a Kujawiak (Mazurka). The work was published in 1834, dedicated to the pianist J. P. Pixis.

Piano Forum: Chopin’s op 13 – Fantasy on polish airs

Opus 14: Rondo à la Krakowiak

This concert Rondo, published in 1834, is built on a national dance from Cracovia – a simplified polonaise in 2/4 time. The piece begins with a soft, pentatonic melody before rushing into a more lively, syncopated dance which includes a quote of Paganini’s caprice no. 24.

Opus 22: Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brilliante

The Polonaise in E-flat for piano and orchestra was written in 1830-31. A few years later Chopin composed the Andante spianato, a solo piano piece which was added as an introduction to the Polonaise and published as his opus 22 in 1836. Although the combined work was originally published for piano and orchestra it is often played as a solo piano piece.

Here is Kissin’s performance of the Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise Brilliante from the Verbier festival 2007:

Part 2 >>