Chris Rice plays Chopin's Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31

Frédéric Chopin's extraordinary Scherzo No. 2 In B-flat Minor, Op. 31, performed by 21-yr-old American pianist and cellist, Chris Rice.

Chopin told his students that the opening of this piece (a touch over two measures) is a question from The House of the Dead. "That's the key to the whole piece," Chopin would say. Chopin was very insistent that his students play this in a soft, deeply reverential way, never a flippant manner. This question, which reappears a number of times throughout the piece, asked by those who had died in the defense of Chopin's beloved homeland, Poland, pleads to know whether their deaths were in vain. Those who died are asking whether anyone amongst the living would give their life for Poland's freedom, and if Poland's glorious culture and heritage will be carried forward into the future. The rest of the Scherzo is Chopin's forceful and heartfelt answer, that those who died did NOT die in vain, and that Poland lives on!

To see other videos by The Rice Brothers, Johnny and Chris, please visit their videoblog:
http://www.piano-and-cello-and-friends.com/videoblog

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[genkibiyori]

It is my favorite piece and you play so lyrically and beautifully!!

Thank you so much for sharing this video!