Clara Schumann ： Four Polonaises No.2 in C Major Op.1-2

This work has a bright, poised character in C major, animated by the noble dance rhythm typical of a polonaise. While suggesting a stately progression, its melody also displays elegant phrasing and delicate expression, giving the piece an appeal that is not limited to strength and grandeur. Listening for the contrasting character of each section and the exchange between the principal melody and accompaniment makes the musical flow clearer. In performance, maintain the rhythmic weight of the beat without becoming rigid, and bring out the buoyancy of the dotted rhythms and the direction of each phrase. Decorative notes should be played lightly enough not to interrupt the melody, allowing the music’s natural breathing to emerge amid its brilliance.