Two questions on Chopin Op 28 No 4 in e minor

[b0mbtrack]

These are probably two really dumb questions but oh well.  I'm doing pretty good reading and playing this one at the same time which is a real accomplishment for me but I just have two questions on it.

1) In measure 13 there is that triplet starting on D.  Is the 4th beat on that D or is it mixed in there between the D and the C?

2) Why is the time signature is cut in half? Does that mean there are only two beats per measure and everything is 16th notes?  That sounds like it would be really fast, but I don't play it like that.

[quantum]

1) 4th beat starts on D.  It contains the triplet D-C-B.

2) The tempo indication "Largo" defines the speed of the piece.  Just because it is cut time doesn't mean it has to be played fast.  The indication of cut time probably alludes to a sense of phrasing.  Having a bigger 2 in one bar as opposed to smaller 4 beats.  Counting in 4 could possibly lead to more choppy phrasing, and dwindling too much on the LH 8th notes.  Feeling in 2, one could have a better grasp of the flow of the harmony and melodic line. 

It is more a matter of how beats are felt rather than how fast to beat.

[b0mbtrack]

Thanks for the help.  Its a little confusing having the cut in half time but I do understand what you are saying about it just being a feel and that it would be choppy the other way.  Thanks again

[davide n.]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to speak about two things in this piece: tempo marking and the meaning of "espressivo".
First of all, I'm not studying on high level but only as amateur and therefore I know just a little of history of music. But what I've read around the web about Chopin, particularly Angela Lear's article, is that he was a precise composer and very exigent to his interpreters.

For this reason, my first problem is: what is the tempo really meant? As much as I know "Largo" means slow, i.e few bpm and the cut 4/4 tempo means a beat every half note.
As a logic conclusion, the largo is to be intend every half note. According to this, the vast majority of the recordings are way too slow.
Has Chopin made a "mistake", maybe for lazyness? Are all pianists "wrong" for not understanding? Has he let the freedom for one time? ...?

Second problem: is "espressivo" referred only to the first bar (or "phrase") (b... b b!......), or to the whole piece? And what does practically "espressivo" mean in Chopin's mind?
I mean, the meaning of a word can change in the time and being even subjective. For example, in Italian the word "patetico" has a very negative connotation, like "ridiculous", but we all know its ethymology.

Thanks to anyone who replies and sorry if I made mistakes!