Here again Niecks is
correct, although I suspect that Klindworth transposed his
figures accidentally. No. 3, in C, was composed in 1835. On this
both biographer and editor agree. It is certainly an early
effusion of no great value, although a good dancing tune. No. 4 A
minor, of this opus, composed in 1846, is more mature, but in no
wise remarkable.
Opus 68, the second of the Fontana set, was composed in 1830. The
first, in C, is commonplace; the one in A minor, composed in
1827, is much better, being lighter and well made; the third, in
F major, 1830, weak and trivial, and the fourth, in F minor,
1849, interesting because it is said by Julius Fontana to be
Chopin's last composition. He put it on paper a short time before
his death, but was too ill to try it at the piano. It is
certainly morbid in its sick insistence in phrase repetition,
close harmonies and wild departure--in A--from the first figure.
But it completes the gloomy and sardonic loop, and we wish, after
playing this veritable song of the tomb, that we had parted from
Chopin in health, not disease.
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