Minute or Minute?

I had a conversation with John from Yakima today about the "Minute Waltz." His theory is that the nickmane of one of Chopin's most famous pieces has been incorrectly pronounced and understood for years. In other words, is the "Minute Waltz" about time (MIN-iht) or size (mi-N(Y)UT)? In the words, or rather word, of Keanu Reeves "Whoa!" In 19 years of hosting classical music this never occurred to me which seems kind of silly, actually, because it's impossible to properly play the piece in one minute or under. So what happened?



There's been a legend or rumour, call it what you will, that Chopin was trying to depict a dog chasing its tail, perhaps even inspired by his own dog. That seems a pretty fair assumption since Chopin's own name for the piece was "Petit Chien" (Little Dog). It was his publisher at that time, however, who attached the name "Minute Waltz" to the piece and it seems he was, indeed, referring to the size (mi-N(Y)UT)of the piece, rather than the time (MIN-iht).

Here are some fun examples of a few of the many, many people who have been wrong.

Here is Barbra Streisand's version of the "Minute Waltz." I've posted the lyrics below so that you can follow along.




I have got a minute, just a little minute,
I have only got a minute, just minute,
I have only got a minute that is all the time
I have to sing this tiny minute waltz
It isn't easy but I'll try it
Than I gotta say goodbye
But first I take a minute
And put in it every note that Chopin wrote
and I shall sing the little minute waltz
And hope that I can sing with no faults
and though it's difficult
I'll give it every gust of air I got within in my body
Hope that my performance will be very shiny
Singing every note will not do wonders for my throat
I probably will end up hoarse
Of course I will have done it
And a will for that I made
That what I want is not the money
but the satisfaction that I get
from winning money on this silly kind of bet
Though this kind of solo wasn't his intention
Chopin isn't here to make an intervention
So with your permission and no intermission
I will sing each note that that composer wrote
as you can hear my trilling isn't very thrilling
but no one can say I wasn't very willing
to attempt a thing that's not been done
and just for fun to sing the minute waltz
As I sing the seconds fly, oh too soon the minute waltzes by
And now I ask you where am I halfway through the tune
and I'm falling far behind
I have less than 30 seconds
less than 30 seconds
less than 30
less than half a minute
I have less than 30 seconds
I have less than half a minute
to complete this little minute waltz
And every note that's its score
While the sands of time I know are pouring
Let me win my bet and I'll run with the money
Down to some drug store whare I will buy a honey
Or a trophy for myself to put upon a shelf to show the world I've won
Oh the second hand is rushing round the dial
And though I'd like to end this torture with a smile
Unless someone knows how to stop the clock
you gonna see me cry before I said goodbye
Eight little measures to complete this song
But I'm afraid my little lungs will burst before to long if
Only I can last the scale
I won't have failed to sing the minute waltz!

Check out this funny bit about the waltz by the famous Danish musician and comedian Victor Borge.



Enjoy this clip of the BBC radio show "Just a Minute" which uses the "Minute Waltz" as their theme.



And finally, who knew that Bugs Bunny would be the one to get it right?!