It was published December, 1843. The
theme in F minor has the elusive charm of a slow, mournful valse,
that returns twice, bejewelled, yet never overladen. Here is the
very apotheosis of the ornament; the figuration sets off the idea
in dazzling relief. There are episodes, transitional passage
work, distinguished by novelty and the finest art. At no place is
there display for display's sake. The cadenza in A is a pause for
breath, rather a sigh, before the rigorously logical imitations
which presage the re-entrance of the theme. How wonderfully the
introduction comes in for its share of thoughtful treatment. What
a harmonist! And consider the D flat scale runs in the left hand;
how suave, how satisfying is this page. I select for especial
admiration this modulatory passage:
[Musical score excerpt]
And what could be more evocative of dramatic suspense than the
sixteen bars before the mad, terrifying coda! How the solemn
splendors of the half notes weave an atmosphere of mystic
tragedy! This soul-suspension recalls Maeterlinck. Here is the
episode:
[Musical score excerpt]
A story of de Lenz that lends itself to quotation is about this
piece:
Tausig impressed me deeply in his interpretation of Chopin's
Ballade in F minor.
Pages:
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303