29th Annual Student Research Conference
Chopin's Waltz in A Minor, Op. 34, No. 2
Kelsea L. Scott♦
Dr. David McKamie, Faculty Mentor
Chopin's waltzes for piano are examples of character pieces that borrow from dance genres. The waltz itself developed from the Ländler, a traditional Austrian folk dance. As the Ländler became popular with upper-class Viennese society, it was refined into the dance known as the waltz. The music of the waltz was brought by composers out of the dance hall into salons (i.e., concert rooms with pianos), and thus was transferred to a concert setting. Chopin's waltzes are perhaps the greatest examples of this popular genre. Although many of Chopin's waltzes are lighthearted in nature, several of those in minor keys are not. This presentation focuses on musical characteristics of Chopin's Waltz in A Minor, Op. 34, No. 2 and how it compares to his other waltzes, concluding with a performance of the work.
Keywords: Chopin, Waltz Op. 34, No. 2, piano
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 2-2
Location: OP PERFORMANCE HALL
Time: 1:15