Chopin's
Scherzo No 4 in E
Major Opus 54 was written in 1842, and in contrast to the
other four
scherzi, is more tranquil in character
and temperament. Although there is an element of passion
and intensity, it does not pervade the
scherzo
nearly as much as the first three. The fourth
scherzo
is rather long and particularly challenging to the performer.
On recording the CD of these four
scherzi, the
fourth certainly took me the most time! The overall form
of this work is sonata-rondo. The central theme of the middle
section is in the relative minor of E Major (C Sharp Minor)
and, like many of Chopin's works, is based on a Polish folk
song. Chopin's
Scherzo No 4 is an ethereal
composition, light in character, and relects Chopin in a
blessed, improvisatory and happy moment. Gone is the fury
and passion of the first
scherzo. Here, Chopin
is clam, and his deadly disease is under control. Even the
middle section, while slow, is not morbid - on the contrary
it is extremely beautiful and simple. The overall passagework
of this
scherzo one would call elegant, and not
flashy (like the previous three
scherzi). The coda
is majestic, and beautiful, not fast and furious. In short,
this is the mature, relaxed Chopin.
Listen to Chopin's
Scherzo No 4 in E Major played by Jonathan Oshry
