Chopin Waltz 34.2
Today’s recording brings In the Hands over the one hour mark: since I started this blog at the end of August, it’s brought over 65 minutes of free piano music to the web. Yay!
This recording also marks a more dubious milestone: for the first time I’m late with the post (it just turned Wednesday in Minnesota as I type this). I’m not sure anyone cares, or even notices, but I do try to keep myself honest with this Tuesday/Saturday plan.
Chopin can get very complex, virtuosic, or just generally full of big piano sounds. But always, in everything he writes, there’s something pure and elemental at the heart of his music. In this waltz, that elemental core is bare. In a piece like this, it’s hard for me not to look at the score and wonder: It’s so simple! How can there be so much in so few notes? Where is the magic hiding?
This Chopin waltz is doubly special to me — not only because it’s a great piece, but also because, like this nocturne from a few entries back, my mom plays it too. (Her glasses have changed since that photo was taken, but not her smile!)
Comments
hi i’m nau
I am a returning piano student, having restarted piano lessons in August (2004) after a 30 year hiatus. My first piano recital ever was two days ago. I played Chopin’s Prelude, Op. 28, No. 4 and a Beethoven piece. It is helpful to me to listen to other people play Chopin even when it is not something I’m working on. It’s enjoyable, plus gives me ideas for technique. It’s also fun to get out my book of Chopin music and follow along. Thanks!
Hi
hi
why? why you intepret a waltz as a noctune? I mean that your tempo is seriously noctunized - or to say, very exaggeratedly slow. This piece actually should be played both nobly and lightly. If you really want to keep that pace I will not consider that your approach is right, or you may have some technique difficuties.
Try to hear how Horowitz and Cortot play this piece.
ly8606: My piano teacher feels the same way. You and he may be right: it may not work this slowly.
However – I have heard Horowitz’s version. I can play the piece much faster if I like. It is arrogant to presume that technique and ignorance are the only possible explanations for somebody hearing a piece differently than you.
hi, im joycelyn from Malaysia,in my country, i cannot found the Chopin CD,especially is the song name’Waltz”…
have anybody can send the song to me??
When I came acoss this Waltz, Opus 34, No. 2, I was mesmerized and fell into a trance. It struck something deep inside of me that does not happen often. In fact, I have already told my family that when I pass away from this earth, this should be played at my funeral. It is simply divine!
I can play this Waltz on the piano… It is a very nice waltz but i think different virtuosos have different perceptions on waltzes… For example, Dinu Lipatti had a very clear understanding of how the Waltz should be played, expressively, but then virtuosos add their own touch to the piece which, make the waltzes more expressive…
I’ve enjoyed many of your recordings in the past, but ran across this one again recently when I decided to start working thru many of the waltzes myself. I just wanted to say that your piano sounds absolutely amazing in this recording - the tone and its ringing quality are wonderful. What kind of piano was this recorded on? I really appreciate your careful and often conservative pedal work - it really helps to bring out a lot of the contrapuntal lines. At first, the slower tempo caught me off guard, but I have to say that it is refreshing to hear the waltz in this way. It really helps to bring out a lot of detail, especially in the lovely arpeggiated section right before the last iteration of the main theme. Cheers!
Hi,
I was wondering what notation (if there is one) indicates that a piece should be played “Nobly”
Anyone?
Thanks in advance and anticipation
drewlas: Yes, there is such a notation. It is the word “Nobly” — which doesn’t actually appear in this score, although I do agree with the grammatically awkward comment above that my experiment with the slow tempo didn’t really work.
I love your comments about music, your love for music, your interpretations, and kind words about your mom.
I am a beginner lister to Chopin and very beginner piano player. It’s my second day of listening to his music on your site and I keep crying every-every second piece and it’s not a depression.
When I dream about going to Chopin’s concert, I mean his concert in a small informal room, I instantly start crying.
I am additionally emotional because I am Polish too.
Keep up your site because I like the state I am in now.
Dorota