Waltz in C-sharp Minor, Op. 64, No. 2
Feb 18th, 2008 by bkr
Chopin once wrote, “When one does a thing, it appears good, otherwise one would not write it. Only later comes reflection, and one discards or accepts the thing. Time is the best censor, and patience a most excellent teacher.”Upon further reflection, Chopin must have realized that this Waltz was an all-time keeper, a favorite of piano virtuosos and amateurs alike since Chopin’s own time. It was a notable favorite of Artur Rubinstein. In fact, the Chopin.Net site has a nice anecdote about Rubinstein:
When people asked him how he could continue to play the same waltz for over 75 years, he replied, “Because it’s not the same, and I don’t play it the same way.”
Click here to listen to Svetlana Smolina’s gripping performance of Chopin’s Waltz in C-sharp minor, Op. 64, No. 2.
Speaking of virtuosos, this is also one of the pieces that Vladimir Horowitz performed at the White House during a 50th anniversary Command Performance for President & Mrs. Carter in 1978. You can watch it on YouTube, with some nice close-ups of Horowitz’s hands.
When did he write the Waltz in C# minor Op 64 No 2?
Thank you.
The Waltz was composed between 1846 and 1847. Op. 64 is a set of three waltzes, the first of which is the well-known “Minute” waltz, and the third of which is far less frequently performed, but said to be one of Chopin’s favorite pieces to play.