Frédéric Chopin
Polonaise 6 (Heroic Polonaise)
in A-flat Major, Op. 53
Often considered the supreme example of how Chopin's works evoke the resilience of the Polish spirit, this celebrated warhorse of the Romantic piano repertoire has earned the nickname "Heroic Polonaise".
Year: 1843
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: Scanned score 
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A vision of Polish glory
The first theme of this most epic of Chopin's Polonaises, following a brief introduction that sets the majestic tone of the piece, feels very aristocratic and triumphant. It is later contrasted with a fanfare-like theme in E major, introduced by fortissimo arpeggiated chords. This second theme is first heard softly, as if from afar, then twice grows into mighty climaxes, the second of which leads back to the noble first theme. The second theme is accompanied by a bass ostinato of descending octaves in the left hand. These continuous left hand octaves, which easily stiffen the arm if not played with a proper technique, are perhaps what most pianists consider the most technically difficult feature of this piece. However, it might be helpful to remember the fact that, according to Chopin’s friend Charles Hallé, the composer always “felt very unhappy when he heard the grande polonaise in A flat major played fast, as it spoilt the whole grandeur and majesty of that noble inspiration."Background
This polonaise—a Polish court dance in three-four time— was probably begun in 1842 and published the following year. It's often considered as the supreme example of Chopin evoking the resilience of the Polish spirit. During the German invasion of Poland at the outset of World War II, Polish Radio broadcast this piece daily as a patriotic protest.Forum posts about this piece:
Chopin Heroic Polonaise vs B flat minor scherzo? Are they possible by lucasejp
Kind of a follow-up to my previous post. I am at a technical level above ABRSM and very motivated to practice. Are Chopin's Bb minor scherzo or Heroic Polonaise possible to learn? Or should I learn one...
I have an oportunity to play a piece with an orchestra. Help me with the choice! by paxxx17
Hello everyone. I'm very excited about this and my thoughts are all over the place, so I hope the following is not too confusing! The local university in my town has an orchestra of amateur...
Romantic Large Scale Work by thenerdicpianist06
Hi everybody, So I have an important solo recital with plenty of time to prepare in advance and my teacher told me that I should collect some ideas for a large scale romantic work and I am having a bit...
Am I ready for Heroic Polonaise Opus.53? by horowitz_admirer
Before I start I just want to say I'm incredibly sorry for asking this but please don't get angry at me please. I'm a beginner advanced pianists (16M) my repertoire consists of Beethoven...
Wang, Moravec, Watts, Ax, Zimerman, Perahia and Polonaise op. 53 by pianophile
Are they afraid of this piece? It seems oddly similar to Mozart in that the most illustrious pros (or at least popularly renowned) seem more reticent with this work than non-superstars. Could it be that any...
What level is Chopin’s polonaise no, 6 (heroic) by romanticperiod
I have a quick question, can anyone tell what level Chopin’s polonaise no. 6 in A-Flat major “heroic” op. 53 is? I’ve searched for it online but I can’t find the answer. Thanks 😊...
Polonaise obstacle!? by billybraga
Hi, im currently studying Chopins Polonaise op. 53, and im kinda stucked in the E major octaves. The problem is that even with 50% speed practice, my left shoulder hurts only in this part, dont know why. Has...
Chopin Polonaise in Aflat Cadence by billybraga
Hi, im very curious about certain patterns of some compositions, one of them is this strange cadence of Chopin's Heroic Polonaise that i want help to understand. What type of scale is this? He wrote an...
Could you comment on my recording of Heroic Polonaise? by tonytwo
Hi there, I'm a current freshman at a high school. I've been playing this piece for about 3 months without the advice from teachers. Could you comment on my recording especially the improvements I can...
Chopin A-flat major (Heroic) Polonaise Op. 53 and the Doppler effect by georgey
Perhaps too exciting of a topic: ;D I’ve always thought that the magnificent E major section of this magnificent polonaise with the famous tough LH octaves playing over and over the notes...
Can someone explain the mechanics of "coming off the seat" by mrcreosote
Please try to ignore the dress, but @ 0:22 Lola Astanova changes her footing then comes off the seat. The end of the piece is quite strong, but she stays glued to the seat. Rubinstein uses the...
Chopin Ballade or Polonaise? by erry
Hi all, just wondering which you think is harder, Ballade No. 1 or the Polonaise op. 53 "Heroic" If you have played either of these, the time it took you to learn each would also be...
What To Choose? (Ballade No. 1 vs Heroic Polonaise) by patronus
So I've recently finished Chopin's Ballades 2 & 3 and personally I think I really like them. Judging by my own eyes and ears I don't think I'm technically ready for 4 quite...
Program suggestions! by earthizm
Hi! I'm a graduating senior in college, and my collegiate piano society hosts a 'formal' (which really is just a small, not-too-serious concert featuring our members) every year in...
Ornament in A flat OP 53 Polonaise, Chopin, measure 33 by jeslevine
The trill in measure 33 has a small note, which is a repetition of the the principal note, before the trill. Most editions I have seen, Peters edition by Scholtz for example indicate a fingering that...
58 years old and stuck - any suggestions? by rustleofspring
BACKGROUND I have been playing the piano since I was 13. I was always drawn to the flashier end of the repertoire, light classics and popular music, and being an able sight-reader and improviser, when I...
Seeking Chopin Recommendations by severius
Hello. I don't play piano - nor anything. Just up-front info. After all of this time, somehow Chopin's piano music's escaped my attention [I otherwise know a lot of the...
Polonaise in A flat Major ''Heroique'' is it hard? by chopinlover23
I've been fascinated by this Polonaise by Chopin, I listened to it on one of my CDs and instantly loved it. So I asked myself why dont I play it? I searched for some sheet music online and I was surprised...
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Polonaise Op. 53 in A-flat Major, a composition by the early romantic composer Frédéric Chopin who was born in 1810 and died in 1849. The piano score of this piece was first published in 1843 and is part of Chopin's Polonaises.