Valse in F minor, Op. 70-2, Posthumous Publication

Basic Information on the Work

Year of Composition: 1842

Year of Publication: 1852 (Krakow), 1855 (Paris, Berlin)

Dedication: Multiple dedications (see main text)

Score Information

• Paderewski Edition: No. 12 (Fontana Edition), No. 12bis (based on manuscript)
• Ekier Edition: (WN55) [B]-8a (based on manuscript to Madame Oury), [B]-8b (based on manuscript to Mademoiselle Elise Gavard), [B]-App.8 (based on Polish first edition)
• Cortot Edition: No. 12
• Henle Edition: No. 12a (based on manuscript to Mademoiselle Elise Gavard), No. 12b (Fontana Edition)
• Peters Edition: (No. 16a [based on manuscript to Mademoiselle Elise Gavard], No. 16b [based on Rothschild family manuscript, including various variants], No. 16c [based on Polish first edition])

This work is known as Op. 70-2 because the three pieces of Op. 70 were published together by Fontana in 1855. However, in recent years, these three pieces are treated as separate works. Furthermore, when it was first published in Poland in 1852, it was published together with the Waltz in B minor (Op. 69-2) as "Two Sentimental Waltzes."

Five autograph manuscripts remain, each dedicated to a different woman. Two of them are dated: one addressed to Madame Oury (December 10, 1842) and one to Mademoiselle Marie de Klyntner (1842). However, the date of the dedication to Mademoiselle Klyntner is unclear, and there are various theories. Regarding the autograph manuscript addressed to Madame Oury in London, a letter also survives, clearly stating that it was written as a personal gift: "I wrote this little waltz with pleasure to give to you. Please keep it; I do not intend to publish it..." Given that Chopin was simultaneously negotiating the publication of major works such as the Scherzo Op. 54, Ballade Op. 52, and Polonaise Op. 53 with Breitkopf & Härtel, it is possible that he had a clear distinction between large-scale works for publication and private, smaller pieces.

As it was not intended for publication, the structure is a simple and short piece consisting of two parts: an initial section in F minor and a later section in A-flat major. The first note varies among the autograph manuscripts and published editions, indicating Chopin's consistent attention to the opening. The numerous dedications also serve as evidence of his successful social interactions within aristocratic society.

(Tomoko Yasukawa, February 2010)