Solo piano piece, resembling a Polish dance in Waltz time. As Chopin's birthplace was Poland, he was very sentimentally attached to this place and its culture. This piece is a musical homage to his homeland.
The music has been given by some the name "Heroic". The origin of this name is coming from Georges Sand, Chopin's long relationship. When hearing it, Sand wrote in one of her letters: "The inspiration! The force! The vigour! There is no doubt that such a spirit must be present in the French Revolution, from now on this Polonaise should be a symbol, a heroic symbol". At that time in Europe, national cultures were very significant in shaping national awareness and this was reflected in the arts and music. The Polish had gone through three occupations in their history and had witnessed a suppression of their national identity. Chopin's "Polonaise" was a musical expression of Polish resistance and the struggle and aspirations of his people, through the revival of Polish folk music.
Chopin's polonaise continues to represent heroism and hope. As it has been said at an International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition "Polonaise represents pride in the past, the joy of the present, and hope for the future".