Klarinet Archive - Posting 000279.txt from 1995/03

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: The Stately Polacca
Date: Thu, 9 Mar 1995 22:51:01 -0500

Nichelle Crocker said:

>Tell me if I understand this clearly: Stately does not have to mean slow.
>It is an indication about the character of the music and not the tempo.

>Jonathan Cohler made two listening suggestions:
>"Listen to the Polonaise Brilliante by Wieniawski, for example, or the famous
>Chopin piano Polonaise."
>
>I would like more suggestions for listening.

Here's more detailed information on the pieces I mentioned. First, the
Polonaise Brillante by Wieniawski, Op. 21 for violin and piano. Note the
tempo marking is "Allegro moderato". And you will also note upon listening
to it that it is @-----.

Second, Wieniawski also wrote another piece for violin and piano called
Polonaise de Concert, Op. 5. The tempo marking is "Allegro maestoso". And
again this piece is stately, fast and virtuosic.

Third, the famous Chopin Polonaise I referred to was Op. 40 No. 1 in A
major. Tempo marking "Allegro con brio". Need I say it again? Stately,
energetic and often fast.

Fourth, I didn't mention before, Chopin has another Polonaise Op. 26 No. 1
in C# minor marked "Allegro appassionato".

If you listen to these four examples, I think you'll hear the character of
the Polonaise that I was referring to. Note that none of these Polonaise's
have slow tempo markings, because it's a "marchlike" dance and marches have
to move along at a natural marching pace or people step all over each
other!

>I would also like some
>suggestions for reading.

Can't help here. Anyone have some sources?

Hope this helps. Have fun listening!

------------------

Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net