Considered to be Chopin’s finest waltz, the Waltz in A-flat major, op. 42 appeared in print in 1840, likely the same year it was composed. Like the earlier Grande Valse Brilliante and the opus 34 waltzes, it maintains the brilliance and noble mien of the dance itself, yet like all of Chopin’s creations in this genre, is not entirely suited for the dance hall.
A solitary trill, eight measures long, on the dominant serves as the introduction. The principal theme, a graceful tune that glides about the tonic key, is actually in duple meter (in this case, 6/8 meter) and is the reason for the piece’s occasional epithet of the “2/4 Waltz.” Underpinning the melody are consistent semitones and the usual triple-time accompaniment of the waltz. Following the principal theme’s restatement an octave higher, a brilliant melody of eighth-note runs is presented, and becomes a central figure of the piece by alternating with the remaining three melodies. The first melody to appear after the eighth-note runs is a brief eight-measure tune that only appears once in the entire piece. The next is somewhat riotous with a lively dotted rhythm, which later becomes an important feature towards the waltz’s conclusion. Finally, the last melody is a sostenuto theme that briefly touches upon C minor. The last measures of this melody develop into a quasi-fanfare which, via the glittering eighth-note runs, bring about the return of the opening theme.
As the waltz enters its coda, the dotted-eighth melody returns and twice precipitates a sudden key change, the first time into A major and the second into D. Each modulation, however, is deftly handled, and by means of a single chord Chopin is able to the reestablish A-flat as the tonic. Finally, the principal theme is hinted at during the final accelerando, which then drives the waltz to its vibrant conclusion. Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Piano Music
Frédéric Chopin
Waltz in A-flat major, op. 42 Play
Recorded on 12/01/1981, uploaded on 05/24/2015
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Considered to be Chopin’s finest waltz, the Waltz in A-flat major, op. 42 appeared in print in 1840, likely the same year it was composed. Like the earlier Grande Valse Brilliante and the opus 34 waltzes, it maintains the brilliance and noble mien of the dance itself, yet like all of Chopin’s creations in this genre, is not entirely suited for the dance hall.
A solitary trill, eight measures long, on the dominant serves as the introduction. The principal theme, a graceful tune that glides about the tonic key, is actually in duple meter (in this case, 6/8 meter) and is the reason for the piece’s occasional epithet of the “2/4 Waltz.” Underpinning the melody are consistent semitones and the usual triple-time accompaniment of the waltz. Following the principal theme’s restatement an octave higher, a brilliant melody of eighth-note runs is presented, and becomes a central figure of the piece by alternating with the remaining three melodies. The first melody to appear after the eighth-note runs is a brief eight-measure tune that only appears once in the entire piece. The next is somewhat riotous with a lively dotted rhythm, which later becomes an important feature towards the waltz’s conclusion. Finally, the last melody is a sostenuto theme that briefly touches upon C minor. The last measures of this melody develop into a quasi-fanfare which, via the glittering eighth-note runs, bring about the return of the opening theme.
As the waltz enters its coda, the dotted-eighth melody returns and twice precipitates a sudden key change, the first time into A major and the second into D. Each modulation, however, is deftly handled, and by means of a single chord Chopin is able to the reestablish A-flat as the tonic. Finally, the principal theme is hinted at during the final accelerando, which then drives the waltz to its vibrant conclusion. Joseph DuBose
Recorded in December, 1981
courtesy of YouTube
More music by Frédéric Chopin
Ballade N° 3 in A♭
Waltz Op 64 / 2
Mazurka Op. 33 No. 1 in g-sharp minor
Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2
Prelude in F major, Op. 28, No. 23, Moderato
Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60
Fantasy, Op. 49
Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66
Impromptu no. 3 in G-flat major, op. 51
Etude Op. 10, No. 11
Classical Music for the Internet Era™