Chopin Polonaises

[rshillen]

Can anyone give me some guidance regarding the technical and musical difficulties of the Chopin Polonaises?. Although I've studied various pieces by Chopin in the past I have never studied the Polonaises. I was going to start with the so called easiest in C sharp minor Op 26 but then have no idea which I should tackle next. I have small hands and would love to tackle the Grande Polonaise in E flat Opus 22 but am unsure where that fits in in the hierachy of technical difficulty. Any guidance would be appreciated?

[lenny]

a general bit of advice - musically, would be to listen to and research the authentic rhtyhm and feel of the polonaise.

it originated as a polish dance of course, and like the mazurake, chopin took the basics of the rhythmic and melodic sytle, and brought them to serious compositions.

im not sure who plays with the most accurately authentic 'polish' rhythm that chopin intended, but i particualrly enjoy the free feel of cziffra's performances, and the powerful steady juggernaut feel of pogolerich on his dvd performance of op44(my favourite right now).

listen to many styles and pick and choose which stylistic elements you would like to pick up and bring to you own playing.

happy listening

[Pianostudy]

By far the best recording of the Polonaisen is Rubinstein's.  It is simply incredible.

[bernhard]

Chopin Polonaises grades (ABRSM and subjective):

Grade 6

Polonaise no. 11 in Gm
Polonaise no.12 in Bb
(both composed when Chopin was 8 years old)

Grade 7

Polonaise no. 13 in Ab

Grade 8

Polonaise no. 1 in C#m Op. 26 no. 1
Polonaise no. 4 in Cm Op. 40 no. 2
Polonaise no. 10 in Fm Op. Posth 71 no. 3

Just above grade 8:

Polonaise no. 2 in Ebm Op. 26 no.2
Polonaise no. 3 in A Op. 40 no. 1
Polonaise no. 8 in Dm Op. Posth. No. 1
Polonaise no. 9 in Bb Op. Posth. No. 2
Polonaise no. 15 in Bbm

Advanced:

Polonaise no. 5 in F#m Op. 44
Polonaise no. 6 in Ab Op. 53
Polonaise-fantasie no. 7 Op. 61
Polonaise no. 14 in G#m (Chopin was 12 when he composed this one)
Polonaise no. 16 in Gb

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Pianostudy]

Chopin Polonaises grades (ABRSM and subjective):

ABRSM?? I'm not familiar with this acronym!..  But I would agree with Bernhard's assessment of the level of difficulty of the polonaisen.

[bernhard]

ABRSM?? I'm not familiar with this acronym!..  But I would agree with Bernhard's assessment of the level of difficulty of the polonaisen.

Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. Google it!

[pianowelsh]

Seems pretty sound. Everyone wants to play Grande polonaise op22 its a pianistic gem! it is also phenominally difficult - some pieces are as hard as they look. Grand pol is harder! - Trust me I tried it - it's one i'll be coming back to again and again!