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Frederic Chopin
GRANDE VALSE OP.42 arr.Lawson for orchestra
Goodmusic Concert Classics GMCL223

Catalogue Number: GMCL223

Difficulty level: D What's this?

ISMN: 9790222329195

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Grande Valse Op.42 arr.Lawson  Pack image
Orchestration: 2 Flutes (2nd db.Piccolo), 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in Bb, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F (3 & 4 optional), 2 Trumpets in Bb, 3 Trombones, Tuba
Timpani, Percussion (3 players: Triangle, Snare Drum, Cymbals (clashed), Tambourine, Bass Drum, Glockenspiel)
Strings (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, Bass)

Frederic Chopin’s Grande Valse is sometimes known as 'the 2/4 waltz' on account of the first theme being in two beats across the bar, while the left hand plays the three crotchets per bar of the waltz. Chopin wrote it in 1840 and it was published in the same year. He had stayed in Valldemossa, Mallorca, between November 1838 and February 1839. Perhaps the Spanish flamenco habit of juxtaposing 2 in the time of 3 influenced Chopin to incorporate this in this waltz, in playful fashion.
Some consider this as Chopin’s finest waltz; former US President, Harry S Truman - who enjoyed playing the piano - apparently referred to it as his favourite. It is certainly laid out on a grander scale than some: after the ‘two over three’ section, there is a light-hearted, scampering, filigree idea, which re-occurs four times, interspersed with increasingly passionate sections. The ‘two over three’ section finally reappears, leading to a dramatic coda. Peter Lawson

A PACK includes a full score plus a full set of wind, brass and percussion parts plus strings 4/4/3/4/2.
Duration 5 minutes

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