harmonic tones in the Coda of theB major Nocturne, op. 9,
No. 3, and note the delicate colors in the closing arpeggio chord
(to be played with a free use of both pedals).
[Footnote 222: For a commentary on this passage see D.G. Ma-
son’s essay on Chopin inThe Romantic Composers.]
[Music]
In general, Chopin’s style is homophonic—wondrous lyric melodies
which seem to float on waves of richly colored sound. But there
is also much subtly used polyphony,i.e., delightful phrases in
inner voices and imitative effects between the different parts. In
comparison, however, with Schumann’s style (which is largely
on a polyphonic basis) Chopin is a decidedly homophonic com-
poser.[223] A great deal of interesting and instructive reading
on Chopin is available and the following works are especially
recommended: Chopin, the Man and his Music by Huneker;
theLife of Chopinby Niecks; the essay on Chopin in Mason’s
Romantic Composersand in Hadow’sStudies in Modern Music;
the volume on Chopin by Elié Poirée in the seriesLes Musiciens
Célèbres; and the same by Louis Laloy in the seriesLes Maîtres
de la Musique; theLifeby Liszt (well known and most valuable
as coming from a contemporary and brother musician); finally a
somewhat rhapsodic essay by H.T. Finck inChopin and Other
Essays.
[Footnote 223: For a detailed analysis of many special features
of style see the volume by Edgar Stillman Kelly,Chopin the
Composer.]
We select, as being thoroughly representative, the following
works for comment: the first Prelude, the A-flat major Étude,
the F-sharp minor Mazurka, the E-flat minor Polonaise, the
Barcarolle and the C-sharp minor Scherzo.[224]
[Footnote 224: To save space, no one of these pieces except the
Barcarolle is given in the Supplement, since they are readily ac-
cessible. TheBarcarolle, however, is given in order to make it
better known; for although it is one of the most inspired and
beautifully expressed of all Chopin’s works, it is heard com-
paratively seldom. The best editions of the works are those of
Kullak, Mikuli and Klindworth.]