Waltz in C Minor

The waltz as a musical form evolved from various Renaissance and Baroque sliding or gliding dance forms and encompassed peasant country folk dances of Central Europe. The classical waltz in which partners were held closely and whirled around the dance floor was first described in the mid-eighteenth century in Bohemia and Bavaria. Johann Strauss Jr introduced an anticipation type of rhythm in which the second beat of the measure was sounded making the third beat late resulting in more of a two-step waltz. The waltz became popular in Vienna around 1780 where it became widespread throughout Europe due to the influence of the Hapsburg court.

The composer’s waltz style follows that of Chopin in general format with the main theme based in the tonic key, modulating to a secondary theme in the dominant key followed by one or more transitional passages in a related minor key before returning to the main and secondary themes, ending on the tonic. Chopin waltzes were more salon pieces rather than considered Viennese in style and use. The symphonic waltz style achieved it pinnacle with the waltzes and ballets of Tschaikowsky.

Waltzes reached their peak as a formal dance in Vienna during the mid to late nineteenth century. The Viennese waltz lost its prominence at the end of the First World War. Waltz rhythms are also employed as part of dances in ballets, concert pieces for orchestra and salon pieces like those of Chopin.

The waltz in C minor begins with a series of chord progressions employed as a sixteen bar introduction in Lento Tempo. The opening waltz melody is stated in an Allegretto Tempo with a motif of half note followed by 2 eighth notes over a standard root followed by upper triad notes in the classic ¾ rhythm. The melody is repeated with the bass morphing into more of a barcarolle rhythm. The melody briefly transitions into the key of G minor before returning to the main C minor melody transitioning through a segue of descending octave scales to the Trio portion of the waltz in the key of E♭ Major. The melody of the Trio assumes a syncopated character which is sustained as the key shifts to an A♭ Major and F minor interlude. The Trio concludes in E♭ Major before returning to the primary melody in C minor. The melody spins out with contrapuntal embellishments before ending with an echo of the introductory chord progressions before concluding.

The waltz in C minor was composed from 09 July 2018 through 08 January 2019.