Expert: David Froom - 2/5/2006

Question
Hi.  I found a short, not particularly complicated piece/movement(?) in my grandmother's compilation book from 1934.   It's listed as Chopin's Funeral March, but that seems to be a mistake.  It's in F-major (or perhaps D-minor), 4/4, Andante, and the melody is initially played cantabile. The first measure of the melody begins with an "A" half note followed by a quadruplet of B-flat, A, G, F.  This is all tied legato to the second measure of two 1/4 notes E and D (the D is one octave above middle C) followed by a half note of C (one octave above middle C).  The next 2 measures have the same exact structure but everything is raised 1/2 step. Any thoughts/ideas?  I might be able to scan it in if that will help.

Thanks.

Answer
Michael,
That's the middle part of the famous Funeral March, which itself is the 3rd movement of Chopin's second piano sonata.  The funereal parts are the opening and closing section.  This is the respite from the gloom and despair.

If you can get ahold of a recording of Chopin's second piano sonata, take a listen.  You'll recognize the outer sections right away -- one of the most used funeral marches, used often for eastern European funerals, and also shows up in a lot of cartoons.

The original key of this center section is Db major.  The whole movement/outer sections are in the relative minor of that (Bb minor, which is also the key of the first and last movement of the sonata).

You should be able to find a recording on CD in a local library.  Happy listening.  It is a wonderful piece.  Be sure to listen to the whole thing!

David Froom