There is more genuine pleasure in being
the spectator of a soul thrilling dance like that than in
taking an active part in the lifeless make-believes performed
at society balls in many of the more Western countries of
Europe.
Absolutely Slavonic, though a local dance of the province of
Mazovia, the Mazurek or Mazurka, is written in three-four time,
with the usual displaced accent in music of Eastern origin.
Brodzinski is quoted as saying that in its primitive form the
Mazurek is only a kind of Krakowiak, "less lively, less
sautillant." At its best it is a dancing anecdote, a story told
in a charming variety of steps and gestures. It is intoxicating,
rude, humorous, poetic, above all melancholy. When he is happiest
he sings his saddest, does the Pole. Hence his predilection for
minor modes. The Mazurka is in three-four or three-eight time.
Sometimes the accent is dotted, but this is by no means absolute.
Here is the rhythm most frequently encountered, although Chopin
employs variants and modifications. The first part of the bar has
usually the quicker notes.
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