In 1834, Frédéric Chopin wrote an Andante Spianato in G Major, for piano solo, which he added to the start of the Grande Polonaise Brillante in E-flat Major and joined the two parts with a fanfare-like sequence. The Grande Polonaise Brillante in E-flat, set for piano and orchestra, was written first, in 1830-31. The combined work was published in 1836, and was dedicated to Madame d’Este. The Grande Polonaise Brillante is a work for piano and orchestra, although the piano part is often played on its own. The Andante spianato (spianato means “even” or “smooth”) for solo piano was composed as an introduction to the polonaise after Chopin received a long-awaited invitation to perform in one of Habeneck’s Conservatoire Concerts in Paris. This was the only time Chopin had ever used the term spianato as a description for any of his works. – Martha Argerich
Andante Spianato
Martha Argerich
Andante Spianato in G Major
Other Polonaise by Martha Argerich
Polonaise Heroic
Polonaise No. 6 in A-Flat Major
Introduction and Polonaise Brillante
Argerich Piano, Rostropovich Cello
Introduction and Polonaise Brillante in C Major
Grande Polonaise Brillante: Other Performance
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
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