Chapter 29

POLONAISE IN

E-FLAT MINOR, OP.

26, NO. 11.

The Polonaise[225] is the great national dance of the Poles; an
impassioned and yet stately pageant in which, as Liszt says,
“The noblest traditional feelings of ancient Poland are repre-
sented.” This dance—or rather, processional march—is always
in triple rhythm and based on a definite rhythmic formula: ei-
ther [Music] or [Music]. The frequent feminine endings are also
a characteristic feature,e.g., the cadence in the well known mil-
itary Polonaise in A major:

[Music]

To return to the example being considered,—it is in Three-part
form (A, B, A, with Coda) the first part in the minor mode;
the second part beautifully contrasted by being in B major—
introduced by the implied enharmonic change from E-flat to D-
sharp. This first part, remarkable for its passionate, headlong
impetuosity, should dispel any idea that Chopin was a weak
sentimentalist. Although of a delicate constitution he certainly
had a fiery soul. The second part, sotto voce—note the feminine
endings—reminds us of the muffled music of a military band as
it passes by.