Polonaise in A-flat major, Op. 53

Polonaise in A-flat major, op. 53 or the "Heroic Polonaise" was written by Frédéric Chopin in 1842. It requires extreme virtuosity. Like most of Chopin's pieces, it uses tempo rubato or "robbed time", meaning that the timing of the notes can be "bent" by the performer. Its tempo is Alla polacca e maestoso ("like a polonaise and majestic"). The form is ternary (ABA), with a 20-second introduction.

Music

The piece has a grand introduction with fast ascending notes in both hands, setting the mood of the piece. The first theme is a dancelike theme and is in the tonic key of A-flat major. It is the familiar part of the piece, and has the left hand moving in octaves. The theme is repeated up an octave with short trills that fill some of the auditory gaps in the theme. There is a brief interlude with a series of chord progressions that lead into a recount of the traditional polonaise melody. The theme of Section A then repeats once before closing. Section B opens with six loud glissando chords before switching to a very soft bass sustenato of descending octaves in the key of E major. A lyrical melody follows the descending octaves and this occurs twice. Section B ends, with a long lyrical interlude with a flowing sixteenth note melody in the right hand and traditional polonaise rhythms in the right. This ends quite furiously in a descending passage before Section A is replayed. The theme is played louder and more dramatic and ends in a coda, a shorter version of the introduction.

Depending on the player, the piece lasts between 5:45, and 6:15.