Minute Waltz question...

[Shagdac]

Why is this piece called the "Minute" Waltz? Is this not the time within it is supposed to be played? Does anyone know how it got it's name.

Thank you,
S

[bernhard]

It is also called the “dog waltz”. As the story goes, George Sand’s dog was going round in circles chasing its own tail and Chopin improvised the waltz on the spot to accompany the dog’s movements. The story is considered by most serious musicologists as ridiculous and completely apochryphal. The same story (and nickname) has also been given to other waltzes (e.g. waltz no. 4 in F)

“Minute” here may as well be apochryphal, since it should really take about one minute and half to play it.

However, there is another possibility: “minute” does not refer to time, but to size: Minute waltz = “small” waltz.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[Shagdac]

Interesting....


As always, thanks Bernhard!
S

[faulty_damper]

I heard that the waltz was so called because it was his shortest waltz.  But to many performers they think it should be played in one minute and the horror!  The lyric middle section is played through so that there's no music, just fingers.

[Terry-Piano]

I like to refer to this piece as La Valse du Petit Chien
(dog's waltz)
When I hear it i cant help but imagining a stupid dog running all over the place