Chopin's Barcarolle in F# major, Op. 60

The Barcarolle in F# major, Op. 60 was composed in 1845. This piece was dedicated to Baroness Stockhausen, the wife of the Hanoverian ambassador to France at the time.

Interesting characteristics to emphasize:

1. The word “Barcarolle” literally means boat song. The “Venetian Boat Song” from Songs Without Words by Mendelssohn quickly comes to mind. Perhaps this composer is influenced by Mendelssohn; therefore, he wrote a character piece or simply was attracted to the scenic view of the Venetian rivers. This is something that the class should consider.

2. The introduction begins with a C# in the bass, then modulates through each key to the main key signature of F# major. This temporarily creates an air of suspense.

3. Once the F# tonality arrives, the left hand adopts a ‘paddling-like’ pattern that creates a gentle swaying rhythm throughout the piece.

4. The melody is nocturne-like.

5. Several uses of thirds and sixths remind me of his Etude, Op. 10, No. 7.

6. Harmonic shifts: FM, F#m, AM, G#M.

7. In the quasi- improvisatory coda, the second measure before the last, Chopin exquisitely uses the full range of the keyboard. In this case, the passage spans five octaves to bring the piece to its dramatic close.

Comment: It seems to me that this is a love scene on the river. Two people on the boat fall in love; the tempo increase and increasingly agitated movement represents the increasing speeds of their heartbeats.