The Mazurka is a Polish musical form based on stylised folk dances in triple meter, usually at a lively tempo, with character defined mostly by the prominent mazur's "strong accents unsystematically placed on the second or third beat". The Mazurka, alongside the polka dance, became popular at the ballrooms and salons of Europe in the 19th century.
The first mazurka in Opus 7, set in B-flat major and marked Vivace, is the most well-known mazurka of the set and perhaps, one of Chopin's most popular mazurkas in general. The piece is in Rondo form and includes a lively main theme characterized by an upward rise and then downward jumps of ninth intervals. The second theme, in F major, is quite graceful and adds to the elegant character of the piece. After a reprise of the main theme, a third and much more subdued theme is introduced. It is quite tonally ambiguous and its mysterious mood is in total contrast with the rest of the piece. The main theme returns for a final time and the piece ends on a B-flat major chord marked forte. It takes a little under three minutes to perform.
