Polonaise in A flat Major, op. 53

Question 1

What genre is <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 1

solo piano work

Question 2

When was <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u> composed?

Answer 2

1842

Question 3

What is the formal structure of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 3

ABA1 (with introduction and coda)

Question 4

What is the key of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 4

Ab major

Question 5

What is the time signature of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 5

3/4

Question 6

What is the tempo for <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 6

<i>Maestoso</i>

Question 7

What are the first notes in the <b>Introduction</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 7

octaves on the dominant

Question 8

What follows the dominant octaves in the <b>Introduction</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 8

chromatically ascending first-inversion chords in parallel motion

Question 9

How is the the Introduction expanded in the <b>Introduction</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 9

expanded through sequential repetition

Question 10

How is tension generated in the <b>Introduction</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 10

sforzando,
dissonance,
chromatic scale

Question 11

What does the right hand play in <b>Section A</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 11

principal theme, uses characteristic <b>polonaise rhythm</b>

Question 12

How is the theme harmonized and ornamented in <b>Section A</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 12

harmonized in thirds,

ornamented with grace notes and appoggiaturas

Question 13

What does the left hand play in <b>Section A</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 13

octave leaps vigorously over a span of three octaves

Question 14

What piano virtuosity is heard in <b>Section A</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 14

sweeping ascending scale (heard 3 times)

Question 15

What is the new key of <b>Section B</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 15

E major

Question 16

What does the left hand play at first in <b>Section B</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 16

<i>ostinato</i> pattern - <i>staccato</i> octaves

Question 17

How is the proud character achieved in <b>Section B</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 17

dotted rhythms,

chordal texture

Question 18

What happens later in <b>Section B</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 18

dramatic shift down half step to D#(Eb) major (dominant of home key),?

new theme introduced

Question 19

How is this new theme different than the first in <b>Section B</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>

Answer 19

more introspective,
lyrical style,
shows influence of <i>bel canto</i> style

Question 20

How does <b>Section A</b> return in <b>Return of Section A</b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 20

its shortened

Question 21

What material is the <b><i>Coda</i></b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u> based on?

Answer 21

principal theme of Section A

Question 22

What harmonic progression is at the end of the <b><i>Coda</i></b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u>?

Answer 22

<b>unorthodox</b> harmonic progression

I - III♮3 (major triad) - V7 - I

Question 23

What feeling does the unorthodox harmonic progress in <b><i>Coda</i></b> of <u>Polonaise in A flat Major</u> give?

Answer 23

majestic close