What is paraphrase Chopin minute waltz mean?

[fenz]

Hi everyone,

I don't understand what is paraphrase in music, for example Paraphrase Chopin Minute Waltz. Please explain it briefly.

Thanks,
fenz

[Bob]

Isn't a paraphrase a brief version?  Like an opera paraphrase?

So I would imagine a paraphrase of the Chopin Minute Waltz would be short version of some kind. (Thirty Second Waltz?)

[ramseytheii]

A paraphrase is saying something in your own words, so a paraphrase on Chopin's minute waltz would be a re-interpretation of the notes.

Walter Ramsey

[fenz]

A paraphrase is saying something in your own words, so a paraphrase on Chopin's minute waltz would be a re-interpretation of the notes.

Walter Ramsey

So it means that we use same music sheet but with our own interpretation?

[fenz]

Isn't a paraphrase a brief version?  Like an opera paraphrase?

So I would imagine a paraphrase of the Chopin Minute Waltz would be short version of some kind. (Thirty Second Waltz?)

What is opera paraphrase? I've never heard before...

[scottmcc]

So it means that we use same music sheet but with our own interpretation?

no, it's your own arrangement.  ie your own notes...it just has to be reasonably similar to the original, at least in sound. 

of course, if you're alkan you could designate something a paraphrase without it actually referring to anything (Salut, Cendre du Pauvre, paraphrase pour piano...but paraphrase of what?).

[ramseytheii]

So it means that we use same music sheet but with our own interpretation?

I don't know.  Someone may have written a paraphrase on Chopin's Minute Waltz.  It would just be someone playing around with the notes, that's all.

Walter Ramsey

[ramseytheii]

What is opera paraphrase? I've never heard before...

An opera paraphrase, such as Liszt or Thalberg wrote, are in this case piano pieces that put together various themes from operas in a condensed way. 

Walter Ramsey

[timothy42b]

I think I would call that a transcription.  There are lots of pieces that are transcribed for use by different instruments.  For example, a Sousa march intended for a wind ensemble transcribed to be played on piano;  or a Beethoven symphony transcribed for guitar, etc. 

[ramseytheii]

I think I would call that a transcription.  There are lots of pieces that are transcribed for use by different instruments.  For example, a Sousa march intended for a wind ensemble transcribed to be played on piano;  or a Beethoven symphony transcribed for guitar, etc. 

A transcription and a paraphrase are two different things.  A transcription would be playing the same music, on a different instrument.  For example: Brahms' transcription of the Chaconne in d minor, for left hand piano.

A paraphrase would be more along the lines of Liszt's Don Juan Fantasy: there are themes from the opera, but they are put in a new texture, invented by Liszt, not transcribed from anything Mozart wrote.  He is using a condensed version of the opera, to make a new composition.

Walter Ramsey

[timothy42b]

A transcription and a paraphrase are two different things. 


A paraphrase would be more along the lines of Liszt's Don Juan Fantasy: there are themes from the opera, but they are put in a new texture, invented by Liszt, not transcribed from anything Mozart wrote.  He is using a condensed version of the opera, to make a new composition.

Walter Ramsey

Okay, I see the distinction.  Makes sense.  A nitpicker would likely say that the Liszt example is therotically a paraphrase of a transcription, since the opera was written for voice and orchestra.  But not I . 

[fenz]

no, it's your own arrangement.  ie your own notes...it just has to be reasonably similar to the original, at least in sound. 

Thanks scottmcc, I've just understood what you mean.

of course, if you're alkan you could designate something a paraphrase without it actually referring to anything (Salut, Cendre du Pauvre, paraphrase pour piano...but paraphrase of what?).

But it isn't referring to anything, does it mean that he compose a new piece?

[scottmcc]

Thanks scottmcc, I've just understood what you mean.

But it isn't referring to anything, does it mean that he compose a new piece?

yes.  he composed a completely new piece and labelled it a paraphrase, which I guess you're allowed to do if you're some kind of eccentric genius.