Mazurka in D, from "Sundry Dances"

Historic social dancing (pre-1930), and the music for it, is a passion of mine. I've studied it for years. This is my best attempt to produce an authentic Mazurka to date. I was surprised to find it more difficult for me to write a good Mazurka than a fugue, but after many hours of study (and a little inspiration), I think I've got the gist of it.

"Sundry Dances" is a collection of 22 (and counting) 18th and early-19th Century dances I've written over the last 5 years - most of them in 2005, with a few more recent additions. They are scored for strings, and can be played by a string ensemble, string quartet, or string quintet (quartet with bass). The present rendering is for string ensemble. This piece will replace the Mazurka I originally wrote for the set, which, while colourful, is not up-to-par.

While it may sound a bit like a waltz here and there, the dotted rhythm on the first beat of the measure and strong second beat at cadences distinguish it from the waltz musically. The dance itself is quite different.

If you'd like to see what the Mazurka looks like when danced, both in the ballroom and as a Polish folk dance, click here

Some points to consider while critiquing this piece, if you will indulge me:

* This is an actual Mazurka for dancing as might have been heard in a ballroom, ca. 1830. You will find it quite different in character from Chopin's Mazurkas. Not only did Chopin not intend most of his music in dance form to be used for dancing, but he is known to have desired that they be distinct in character from their analogues, a vehicle for self-expression.

* The pattern is basically a rondo: A-B-A-C-A-B-A. Repetitions are characteristic of the Mazurka - even Chopin's - and many other dances.

* The tempo is quicker than you're probably used to. This is a dancing tempo, again characteristic of the Mazurka, which has a hopping, skipping character.

If I seem to be trying to head off unfavourable comparisons with Chopin, I am. :P

Hope you get a kick out of it, so to speak. :D

Mazurka in D, from "Sundry Dances" (2010)

Effectively, it's not like Chopin :santa: . Otherwise, it sounds like a typical, simple dance, reminiscent of Eastern Europe... not many constructive things to say here, I liked it hones:

Yep, that's the idea. The Mazurka was a Polish folk dance before it was anything else. Glad it tickled you! :)

Wow. I really enjoyed that; I'd like to get my hands on the rest of the "Sundry Dances".

Wow! Very lively, and fun to listen to! You could very well add your knowledge of these various dances to the wiki, if you haven't already, seeing how you are so knowledgeable! Definitely post the rest of the set, this was amazing!

-MF

I agree with Paranoid Freak -- this was a job really well done with no realistically constructive criticism to give. This was really great to listen to -- structurally sound, and fun! Thanks for sharing with us!

Thanks very much! Even if there is criticism, I'm happy if I've given someone a moment or two of enjoyment!

I also concur- nothing really to criticize. If what you're going for here was to make it sound like an old-style dance, you got it. The bass/cello part may be a tad bit boring, however, you can't expect much, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Nice work! Thanks for posting :)

Heckel

I hear the "boring bass line" thing a lot with regard to these dances, and I understand what everyone is saying from a general compositional standpoint. But I've done a lot of research on this, and in dance music, it's all about the dance rhythm and melodic interest, and less about variety in the bass or accompaniment, the purpose of which is to outline the dance rhythm. Even in Chopin Mazurkas (not meant to be danced, but still following the form), we usually hear pretty much a "waltz" style left hand a lot of the time. In Delibes' Mazurka from Giselle, his bass line is similar to mine (or should I say, mine is similar to his). I'm writing my dances to be actually suitable or dancing, and these are characteristics specific to the dance form, so unless you're writing a highly stylized treatment (as some of Chopin's are), they're really not negotiable.

I'm trying to educate a little bit, not be obstinate. I really do understand where you're coming from, and I do my best to make everything as interesting as possible while staying true to the style and the form.

this is very good. i enjoyed it. what sound library do you use?

Ss