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Huneker, James, 1860-1921

"Chopin : the Man and His Music"

All the editors quoted agree with Von Bulow,
Klindworth and Kullak. But if this is a marked specimen of
Riemann, examine his reading of the phrase wherein Chopin's
triple rhythm is supplanted by duple. Thus Von Bulow--and who
will dare cavil?
[Musical score excerpt]
Riemann:
[Musical score excerpt]
The difference is more imaginary than real, for the stems of the
accented notes give us the binary metre. But the illustration
serves to show how Dr. Riemann is disposed to refine upon the
gold of Chopin.
Kullak dilates upon a peculiarity of Chopin: the dispersed
position of his underlying harmonies. This in a footnote to the
eleventh study of op. 10. Here one must let go the critical
valve, else strangle in pedagogics. So much has been written, so
much that is false, perverted sentimentalism and unmitigated cant
about the nocturnes, that the wonder is the real Chopin lover has
not rebelled. There are pearls and diamonds in the jewelled
collection of nocturnes, many are dolorous, few dramatic, and
others are sweetly insane and songful.


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