Tempo
The piece is given the tempo marking Molto vivace. Although it has long been known as the "Minute (accent on second syllable) Waltz", a nickname meaning a "small" waltz, given by its publisher, Chopin did not intend for this waltz to be played in one minute: a typical performance of the work will last between one and a half and two and a half minutes.The waltz is 138 measures long with one fifteen-measure repeat included, and thus it would have to be played at almost 420 quarter notes per minute in order to play it completely within a single minute. Playing the piece as fast as possible is still a feat some pianists attempt. Camille Bourniquel, one of Chopin's biographers, reminds the reader that Chopin got the inspiration for this waltz as he was watching a small dog chase its tail, which prompted the composer to name the piece "Valse du petit chien," meaning "The Little Dog Waltz."
Read more about this topic: Minute Waltz
Famous quotes containing the word tempo:
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