Chopin's Mazurkas - Part 3 @ r2
And we're back with another exciting installment of me listening to Chopin's Mazurkas and then talking to myself about them (previously: part 1 and part 2). We begin on Op. 24, No. 1.
Quatre Mazurkas
For a monsieur Comte de Perthuis
Op. 24, No. 1 in G minor
I'm excited to announce that Chopin has returned to form by starting with a V - i
progression. A return to the classics (see part 1 for more details).
The main theme features some more "gypsy" style scales, with what I think is called the altered Phyrgian, i.e. harmonic minor with a raised 4th. In this case some rogue C♯'s.
The next section features some interesting echoing by the left hand. The 9th jump followed by a descending chromatic which was repeated a phrase earlier in the right hand.
The rogue C♯ makes another appearance to help transition from E♭ back
to G minor by use of what appears to be a progression of E♭7 → A7♭5
→ D7 and finally ending back at Gm. That "V of the V"
progression which utilizes the ♭5 is a harmony that is not uncommonly seen
seen in Chopin's music, and the Romantic era in general (e.g. Chopin's 2nd Ballade).
Ragtime music also makes very heavy use of the "V of the V"
progression, although you don't see a ♭5 very frequently.