Mazurkas, Op. 17 (Chopin)

Chopin had just recently settled in France, as he had become a refugee from Poland, however, he hoped he could move back to his homeland when the political situation changed.

Even though Chopin had moved away from his homeland, he never forgot his Polish roots and this set demonstrates his homesickness and deep longing for Poland.

The brief and slower middle section, in E-flat major, has a syncopated rhythm and is subdued in its grace and mystery, providing a calmer atmosphere.

Soon, the main theme returns and after being repeated twice again, the mazurka ends boldly with a B-flat major chord in octaves.

[4] This mazurka is waltz-like in character and features a quite homophonic texture with a single tune accompanied by chords.

Soon, the main theme is reprised and the piece ends with intricate arpeggio patterns extending to the piano's upper register, eventually fading quietly.

The piece ends with the same four measures as it began, with no pedal, the chords played by the left hand portamento, the tone and time fading away in a perdendosi.

This mazurka was used by modern composer John Williams in the 1987 Steven Spielberg motion picture, “Empire Of The Sun” as a recurring leitmotif within the piece, “Toy Planes, Home and Hearth”.