Minute Waltz
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The Waltz in D flat major, opus 64, No. 1, popularly known as the Minute Waltz is a waltz for solo piano by Frédéric Chopin.
The piece is given the tempo marking "Molto vivace". Written and published circa 1846–7 as the first of the opus 64 Trois Valses, this waltz is dedicated "To Mme. la Comtesse Delphine Potocka". With the second waltz in the key of C-sharp minor, the "Minute" waltz contrasts with the light enharmonic key of D-flat major.
Despite its nickname, a typical performance of the work will last around one and a half to two minutes. This waltz, though brilliant, is not grand, and it is not long, and it is more playful than many of the other waltzes. Camille Bourniquel, one of Chopin's biographers, reminds the reader that Chopin, with this waltz, was trying to depict a dog chasing its tail, indeed, Chopin originally named the piece "Petit chien" (Little Dog)
This is how it starts:
The piece is famously used as the theme tune to the BBC radio show Just a Minute.
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External links
- Piano Society — Chopin — Waltzes (http://www.pianosociety.com/index.php?id=38) — Recordings of the minute waltz.
- Classical Cat — Waltzes for piano op 64 (http://www.classicalcat.com/chopin_f/64.htm) — Links to various recordings available online.
- MIDI file of Minute Waltz (http://www.wwwgallery.com/MinuteWaltz.mid)
- Free recording of Minute Waltz (http://www.pianoparadise.com/downloadmp3/chopin.html)ja:子犬のワルツ