Chopin’s Barcarolle, Op. 60, inspired by the rocking rhythm of the traditional folk song sung by Venetian gondoliers, is another of his more demanding compositions. It is also one of his last major compositions, along with his Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61. Chopin’s distinctive sound often includes the national flavour of his native Poland, and this piece takes its character from the Polish dance, while the fantasie provides its harmonic complexity and intricate form.
For Peter Donohoe, the 2 Nocturnes, Op. 62 are the culmination of the musical form, these intimately expressive works being Chopin’s final compositions in the genre. The 3 Écossaises, Op. 72 No. 3, which close this recital, were amongst the first pieces Donohoe ever knew, and were therefore seminal for him. He says, “That they are much less serious than any of the other works here does not detract from their originality and charm.”
Included as a download is Donohoe’s performance of Chopin’s Berceuse, a lullaby he composed late in life, which remains one of the composer’s most beloved pieces.
