Frédéric Chopin · 1810–1849

Mazurka fis-moll Op 59 Nr 3

Performed by Christoph Zbinden · 3:02

Mazurka in F-sharp minor, the final piece of the set, is referring to an oberek, a national Polish dance much faster than a mazurka. The piece begins with a memorable and powerful melody, the second theme is somewhat more joyful than the first. The left hand accompaniment of the piece experiments with descending chromatic harmonies, although this does not affect the melody which remains defined throughout the piece. An autograph manuscript housed at the Morgan Library & Museum in New York contains a complete draft of this Mazurka written in the key of G minor, dedicated to Ferdinand Hiller.