Like the fantasia, the title “impromptu” is used to describe a piece of music written in an improvisatory manner. Its first recorded use was in 1817 by a publisher to describe a piece by the Czech composer Jan Václav Voříšek. More famously, however, Franz Schubert composed eight such pieces in 1827 and since then the term “impromptu” became popular with many Romantic and even 20th century composers. Ironically, many of the pieces that bear the title possess well delineated forms and betray a more rigorous thought process rather than spur-of-the-moment inspiration. Such is the case with Chopin’s impromptus.
Composed in 1839, the Impromptu in F-sharp major op. 36 has a pastoral feel to its opening measures. It begins with two-part harmony confined solely to left hand, which itself sounds as if it could be the work’s principal melody. Nevertheless, this turns out to be nothing more than accompaniment and the melody, moving rhythmically with the accompaniment, begins in the sixth measure. The tranquil setting with which the piece begins, however, becomes somewhat agitated with the introduction of a dotted-eighth note motif, moments of florid ornamentation and chromatic harmonies. Changing to the key of D major, the middle episode takes on a livelier and even heroic demeanor. The dotted-eighth rhythm heard earlier is adopted as the rhythmic driving force of the bass line over which a noble melody grows in fortitude with an increasingly dense harmonic texture. In an unexpected harmonic turn, Chopin returns to opening melody, not in the tonic key, but instead in the key of F major while the accompaniment is varied with triplet rhythms. The tonic key is regained midway through the reprise and before Chopin launches into a passage of brilliant and agile ornamentation. However, this sudden outburst eventually subsides into the calm and peaceful music which closed the first section and the Impromptu concludes with a final forte tonic chord.Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Piano Music
Frédéric Chopin
Impromptu no. 2 in F sharp major Op.36 Play
Recorded on 03/26/2011, uploaded on 03/29/2011
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Like the fantasia, the title “impromptu” is used to describe a piece of music written in an improvisatory manner. Its first recorded use was in 1817 by a publisher to describe a piece by the Czech composer Jan Václav Voříšek. More famously, however, Franz Schubert composed eight such pieces in 1827 and since then the term “impromptu” became popular with many Romantic and even 20th century composers. Ironically, many of the pieces that bear the title possess well delineated forms and betray a more rigorous thought process rather than spur-of-the-moment inspiration. Such is the case with Chopin’s impromptus.
Composed in 1839, the Impromptu in F-sharp major op. 36 has a pastoral feel to its opening measures. It begins with two-part harmony confined solely to left hand, which itself sounds as if it could be the work’s principal melody. Nevertheless, this turns out to be nothing more than accompaniment and the melody, moving rhythmically with the accompaniment, begins in the sixth measure. The tranquil setting with which the piece begins, however, becomes somewhat agitated with the introduction of a dotted-eighth note motif, moments of florid ornamentation and chromatic harmonies. Changing to the key of D major, the middle episode takes on a livelier and even heroic demeanor. The dotted-eighth rhythm heard earlier is adopted as the rhythmic driving force of the bass line over which a noble melody grows in fortitude with an increasingly dense harmonic texture. In an unexpected harmonic turn, Chopin returns to opening melody, not in the tonic key, but instead in the key of F major while the accompaniment is varied with triplet rhythms. The tonic key is regained midway through the reprise and before Chopin launches into a passage of brilliant and agile ornamentation. However, this sudden outburst eventually subsides into the calm and peaceful music which closed the first section and the Impromptu concludes with a final forte tonic chord. Joseph DuBose
More music by Frédéric Chopin
Mazurka Op 67 N° 4
Mazurka Op. 33 No. 1 in g-sharp minor
Waltz Op 34 N° 2
Mazurka Op 63 N° 2
Nocturne in D-flat Major, Op. 27, No. 2
Prelude in F major, Op. 28, No. 23, Moderato
Fantaisie-Impromptu in C-sharp Minor, Op. 66
Impromptu no. 3 in G-flat major, op. 51
Barcarolle in F-sharp Major, Op. 60
Fantasy, Op. 49
Performances by same musician(s)
"Malgré tout" A pesar de todo, danza para la mano izquierda
Scherzo No. 2 in b-flat minor, Op. 31
Nocturne in D-flat Major Op. 27 No. 2
Moment musicale in F minor Op.94 No.3
Andaluza Op.37 No.5
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Nocturne in A-flat Major Op. 32 No. 2
Intermezzo
Ballade No.3 in A flat major Op.47
Adiós Nonino
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