Frédéric Chopin

Mazurka - Facsimile

The Mazurka in A flat major was written between the Mazurkas, Opp. 17 and 24 (1833) and the Mazurkas, Op. 30 (1835). It differs from those sets, which in their dimensions, texture, harmony (including chromatism), elaborate ornamentation (e.g. in Op. 17 No. 4), folk bourdons (Op. 17 No. 1), transferral of the melody to the left-hand part (Op. 24 No. 2) and differentation of compositional technique. The Mazurka in A flat major is not, however, a 'bridge' between these opuses, but an occasional work - a gift for a lady written into her album. It has a simple design and uncomplicated texture.