Frédéric Chopin

While this is listed as No. 53 in Chopin's catalog of mazurkas, it was actually his second surviving one, the higher number having been assigned posthumously. An earlier D major effort dates to around 1820, when the composer was a mere ten years old. There were probably other juvenile mazurkas in the approximately five years separating the two works, for Chopin had shown a consistent, lifelong interest in this dance form and devoted more piano compositions to it than to any other genre.

Not surprisingly, this mazurka does not sound like mature Chopin, having a sprightly Mozartian Classical spirit. That said, it is still recognizable as Chopin: it begins with a rhythmic figure that suggests the opening of the "Minute" Waltz, and its clever thematic turns bear a characteristic stamp of elegance. The main theme is busy and joyful, jaunty and light, but is restricted to a relatively narrow range of the upper keyboard, thus inhibiting its vocabulary of color. And if the harmonies are a bit freer than usual, they still lack the distinction found in the composer's later works. Still, because the piece lasts barely more than a minute, its energy and bright mood more than compensate for any undeveloped aspects.