Chopin Plays Chopin (as does Scriabin)

This is post is dedicated to Chopin's recycling within his own oeuvre. As always, the page is divided into sections of vis-à-vis comparisons. The majority of comparisons found derive from Chopin's earliest works, such as the rondo, his first publication. It is remarkable to note how such relatively amateur material was excerpted and assimilated into, respectively, the autumnal fourth ballade. Like Beethoven, the composer's early explorations are later mined for their particularly good bits and put to use in mature works.

In the case of the seldom heard first piano sonata, so much of later compositions comes to the listener's attention that it is impossible to separate out each instance without careful comparisons of the scores. In the same vein, it is worthwhile to keep aware of appropriations other than those pointed out in this and subsequent posts. It is my experience that such a piece, in which reference is made to the work of another or the same composer, is likely to contain other such material, if perhaps to a less explicit degree. Referring to my previous post, the Mendelssohn concerto, for instance, contains a handful of other (rather uninspired) borrowings which I do not mention for reasons of difficulty, as suggested above.

First Comparison

Ballade No. 4 in F minor (1843)
[beginning at 8:13]

Heard here...
Rondo in C minor (1825)
[beginning at 4:29]

Second Comparison

Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor (1830)

[beginning at 19:46]

Heard here...

Rondo à la Krakowiak in F major (1828)

[beginning at 3:53 and repeated throughout]

As a bonus...

Scriabin – Prelude No. 16 in B-flat minor (c. 1896)

[from beginning]

Heard here...

Chopin – Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor (1839)

[from beginning]

★

This blog is intended as a space within which I will share my findings related to classical music appropriation. Many composers in the past have quoted, borrowed, and recycled the themes and melodies of others. Having already noted many such instances, I hope to include the more interesting, and convincing, examples herein.