From enormous to minute - Chopin's "Minute" Valse in Db Op 64 no 1 (1847)

Romantic music went in two directions: bigger

and into miniature (minute) forms such as this, that we are looking at today:

The score for this piece is here.

1. Who was Chopin, where did he come from, where did he work most of his career, what sorts of pieces did he compose throughout his life and what are some of his most famous pieces?

2. What is a waltz (valse)? Where and when did it originate? What are its characteristics?

3. Describe the structure of this piece, both in terms of overall form and phrase structure.

4. Name 10 Romantic features of this piece. What is unusual (for the period) in terms of tonality?

5. Find 4 chromatic melody notes and explain their function.

6. Divide the piece up and analyse the harmony of the entire piece (won't take long...). What sorts of especially Romantic-style chords are used here?

7. Name 3 challenges for the performer here. Explain.

8. Find appoggiaturas and acciaccaturas in the melody.

9. How are dynamics used in the piece? Discuss in a couple of sentences.

10. Describe (in a couple of sentences) how a climax is created from bar 22 - 34.