There is still some confusion about the dating of Chopin's posthumously published mazurkas. This C major mazurka and the first item in the set, the G major (No. 42) were written in 1835, while the second (No. 43) and fourth (No. 45) date to 1849 and 1846 respectively. Thus, one should not look for likenesses of mood in the group in order to link them to events in Chopin's personal life, as can sometimes be done with other sets of mazurkas.
Marked Allegretto, this C major effort is a finely-crafted miniature of considerable appeal. It features a lively, danceable melody, and playful if short-lived middle section. The robust main theme appears three times in the course of the piece. It has an aristocratic air about its elegance, yet possesses a folk-like quality in its jauntiness and joy. It returns to close the piece in much the same guise as heard on its second appearance. This is one of the shorter Chopin mazurkas, lasting about a minute-and-a-quarter in a typical performance.
