Piano Concerto No. 1 (Chopin)

Lore & Background

The concerto is dedicated to Friedrich Kalkbrenner, a pianist and composer Chopin admired. Another influence is Johann Nepomuk Hummel; critic Harold C. Schonberg noted that the openings of Hummel's A minor and Chopin's E minor concertos are too close to be coincidental. While composing, Chopin wrote to his friend Tytus Woyciechowski about a tendency to indulge something that crept into his head through his eyes, possibly referring to soprano Konstancja Gładkowska, though some believe he may have been referring to Woyciechowski himself. Seven weeks later in Paris, Chopin played the concerto at the Salle Pleyel, again well received. Critic François-Joseph Fétis wrote that there is spirit, fantasy, and originality in the music. Opinions differ: some critics, like James Huneker, felt the orchestral support was dry and uninteresting, while others argue the simplicity of arrangement contrasts deliberately with the harmonic complexity.

Reader's Guide

The concerto comprises three movements: Allegro maestoso, Romanze – Larghetto, and Rondo – Vivace. A typical performance lasts 38 to 42 minutes. The first movement features unusual modulations, moving to the parallel major instead of the expected relative major. The second movement, described by Chopin as a calm and melancholy Romance, evokes a reverie in the moonlight. Some musicians, such as Mikhail Pletnev, have felt the need to amend Chopin's orchestration, while others defend it as carefully written to support the piano. The work remains a staple of the piano repertoire, reflecting Chopin's early style and his departure from Poland.

Did You Know?

• The concerto was actually written after what was later published as Piano Concerto No. 2, but was published first and thus called No. 1.
• Chopin dedicated the concerto to Friedrich Kalkbrenner, a pianist and composer he admired.
• The third movement features Krakowiak rhythms, a syncopated duple-time dance from Kraków.