Chopin: Waltzes, Op.64 No. 2

Introduction

The Waltz in C♯ minor is the second work of Chopin's opus 64 and the companion to the Minute Waltz (Op. 64, No. 1). It was composed in 1847. Chopin dedicated this Waltz to Madame Nathaniel de Rothschild.

It consists of three main themes:

• Theme A tempo giusto chordal with a walking pace feel;
• Theme B più mosso (faster) — theme stated in running eighth notes, with all harmony in the left hand.
• Theme C più lento (slower) — a sostenuto in the parallel key of C♯ minor (D♭ major, enharmonic equivalent to C♯ major). Besides the slower general pace, the melody is in quarter notes except for a few flourishes in eighth notes, giving this section the quality of an interlude before the dramatic restatement of Theme B.

The overall layout of the piece is A B C B A B. In an orchestrated version, it forms part of the ballet Les Sylphides.