Op. 69 No. 1

Waltz in A flat major Op.69 No.1 (1835)

Of all the waltzes published after Chopin’s death, the most familiar of them is the one in A flat major, known as “L’Adieu,” which was written in Dresden in 1835 for Maria Wodzinska - reputedly as a farewell, although their relationship actually came to an end two years later. While it is rather less melancholy than the Waltz in F minor Op.70 No.2, it no less tender and is similarly inclined towards the rhythmic inflections of the mazurka. Again like that later work, it was presented in manuscript to several lady pianists, each one with a personal inscription.