3, and the Polonaise,
op. 22, for piano and orchestra. This latter Polonaise is
preceded by an andante spianato in G in six-eight time, and
unaccompanied. It is a charming, liquid-toned, nocturne-like
composition, Chopin in his most suave, his most placid mood: a
barcarolle, scarcely a ripple of emotion, disturbs the mirrored
calm of this lake. After sixteen bars of a crudely harmonized
tutti comes the Polonaise in the widely remote key of E flat; it
is brilliant, every note telling, the figuration rich and novel,
the movement spirited and flowing. Perhaps it is too long and
lacks relief. The theme on each re-entrance is varied
ornamentally. The second theme, in C minor, has a Polish and
poetic ring, while the coda is effective. This opus is vivacious,
but not characterized by great depth. Crystalline, gracious, and
refined, the piece is stamped "Paris," the elegant Paris of 1830.
Composed in that year and published in July, 1836, it is
dedicated to the Baronne D'Est. Chopin introduced it at a
Conservatoire concert for the benefit of Habeneck, April 26,
1835.
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