On inquiry--Niecks quotes from
the London monthly "Musical Record," July 1, 1882--Pauer
discovered that the piece was identical with a Mazurka by Charles
Mayer. Gotthard being the publisher of the alleged Chopin
Mazurka, declared he bought the manuscript from a Polish countess-
-possibly one of the fifty in whose arms Chopin died--and that
the lady parted with Chopin's autograph because of her dire
poverty. It is, of course, a clear case of forgery.
Of the four early Mazurkas, in G major and B flat major--dating
from 1825--D major--composed in 1829-30, but remodelled in 1832--
and C major--of 1833--the latter is the most characteristic. The
G major is of slight worth. As Niecks remarks, it contains a
harmonic error. The one in B flat starts out with a phrase that
recalls the A minor Mazurka, numbered 45 in the Breitkopf &
Hartel edition. This B flat Mazurka, early as it was composed,
is, nevertheless, pretty. There are breadth and decision in the C
major Mazurka. The recasting improves the D major Mazurka. Its
trio is lifted an octave and the doubling of notes throughout
gives more weight and richness.
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