Mazurkas, Op. 41 (Chopin)

The first French and English editions placed the C-sharp minor mazurka last rather than first.

The Mazurka in C-sharp minor should really have a subtitle: in the Phrygian mode for this is the special quality of its main theme and the crowning climax at the end.

How Chopin incorporates the mode into the piece is fascinating: The mazurka starts with an outlining of the Phrygian scale as a solo right hand melody, only then repeating it with harmonization and then subjecting it to harmonic development in E major.

Various episodes introduce new key areas, all very clearly marked off from one another, many developing the dotted rhythm idea from the main theme.

The big dominant build-up to the climax is quite awe-inspiring both in its length (14 bars) and its ubiquitous use of dotted rhythms.