Musical Offerings ⦁ 2026 ⦁ Volume 17 ⦁ Number 1 27 pattern of one eighth note, two sixteenth notes and then four eighth notes. While Chopin does not strictly adhere to this pattern constantly in the polonaise, he does use it or variations of the rhythmic pattern in important moments in the piece. Example 4: Excerpt from Krakowiak for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 14, mm. 60–67.47 The krakowiak is another dance that, unlike the mazurka, was danced in duple time by people of the Cracow region and by the nobility.48 While Chopin was alive, the krakowiak was generally more popular with peasants in the Cracow and Sandomierz areas.49 Chopin wrote his own version of this dance in his Krakowiak for Piano and Orchestra, Op. 14 (see Example 4). The piece begins with a slow introduction in 3/4 time and then moves into the rondo section in 2/4 that begins with a cheerful, upbeat dance-like tune in the piano part, reminiscent of the krakowiak. Chopin’s Polish music has been interpreted in different ways over the years. One interpretation is placing his works into the category of nationalistic music. Robert Schumann wrote a review of Chopin’s Piano Concertos in 1836, saying, “For if the mighty autocratic monarch in the 47 Chopin, Krakowiak Op. 14, 98. 48 Bakst, “Polish National Influences,” 56. 49 Bakst, “Polish National Influences,” 56.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=