Chopin Polonaises Op. 26, 40, 44, 53, 61 (Pollini)

Nowhere in Chopin’s output do the national pride, dignified grandeur and defiant power of Poland find greater expression than in his polonaises. Altogether, he left at least 21 works in the genre for solo piano (and 2 others: 1 for piano and orchestra, 1 for piano and cello), but only 7 were published in his lifetime. These 7 also happen to be the most popular today and are the contents of this video. Composed over more than a decade, their style gradually evolve from conventional salon miniatures to expansive and complex dance poems. 0:00 - Op. 26 No. 1 in c# minor 8:24 - Op. 26 No. 2 in e-flat minor - Rachmaninoff quotes the opening of this piece in his Etude-Tableaux Op. 33 No. 5 17:00 - Op. 40 No. 1 in A major, "Military" 22:24 - Op. 40 No. 2 in c minor 30:28 - Op. 44 in f-sharp minor, "Tragic" 41:23 - Op. 53 in A-flat major, "Heroic" 48:28 - Polonaise Fantaisie Op. 61 in A-flat major