Rondo in C minor (Chopin)

The Rondo in C minor, Op. 1, for solo piano is Chopin's first published work, published in 1825,^[1] and dedicated to "Madame de Linde", a family friend with whom Chopin played duets.^[2] The piece contains an "unorthodox (but entirely logical) tonal scheme".^[1] The first phase begins in C minor, moving into E major, A♭ major, then back to C minor. The second phase moves to D♭ major, finishing in C minor for a final statement of the theme.^[1]

The composition is considered somewhat weak, especially when compared to his later works. It was first published under the title "Adieu à Varsovie" ("Farewell to Warsaw").^[2]

Robert Schumann wrote of it in 1832:

"Chopin's first work (I believe firmly that it is his 10th) is in my hands: a lady would say that it was very pretty, very piquant, almost Moschelesque. But I believe you will make Clara study it; for there is plenty of spirit in it and few difficulties. But I humbly venture to assert that there are between this composition and Op. 2 two years and twenty works."^[2]

References

1. Cambridge Companion to Chopin p80, Jim Samson. Cambridge University Press, 1994. ISBN 0-521-47752-2 ISBN 9780521477529
2. Frederick Niecks, "Chopin as a man as a musician"

External links

• Rondo Op. 1: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project