The Best Nocturnes
Frédéric Chopin Performed by Artem Tenkeli Nocturne in C♯ minor
Op. Posth., B. 108 (1870) Chopin composed the Nocturne in
Nocturne in C♯ minor
Op. Posth., B. 108 (1870) It was one of several works that his friend and publisher, Julian Fontana, compiled and published posthumously as It is also referred to as Nocturne No. 20, Lento con gran espressione, KK IVa No. 16, or the “Reminiscence” Nocturne. It was one of the first Nocturnes he wrote, but was one of three that were not published during his lifetime. It has a simple A-B-A form, with the first and third sections featuring the same melody but with slight variations while the middle section offers a contrasting melody and a more dramatic and intense mood. The song was dedicated to his sister, Ludwika Chopin. The dedication reads “To my sister Ludwika as an exercise before beginning the study of my second Concerto”. Chopin had a close relationship with his sister Ludwika, who was also a pianist and a singer. The dedication to Ludwika is a testament to the importance of their relationship and highlights the personal significance of the composition. Chopin was influenced by the works of earlier composers such as John Field, who invented the genre of the Nocturne. The Italian opera composer Vincenzo Bellini was also influential, whose vocal melodies and expressive style are evident in Chopin's music. It also shows the influence of the Polish folk music that Chopin grew up with, particularly in its use of modal harmonies and ornamentation. Legends about Nocturne in C♯minor According to one legend, Chopin was inspired to write the Nocturne after hearing an Italian singer performing a beautiful melody in a cafe. Another story was that Natalia Karp, a Holocaust survivor, played the piece for Nazi concentration camp commandant Amon Goeth. Goeth was so impressed with her rendition that he spared Karp's life. Some scholars believe that the Nocturne in C♯ minor reflects Chopin's personal life and emotions. Chopin was known to be a very private person and rarely spoke about his innermost feelings, but it is possible that the melancholic and introspective character of the Nocturne may have been a reflection of his own struggles and hardships. Chopin was deeply attached to his native Poland and was deeply affected by the political crisis that the country was facing in the early 1830s. Some have suggested that the piece may have been a response to the political turmoil and a reflection of Chopin's feelings of sadness and despair. over the situation. He was deeply connected to his Polish roots and felt a strong sense of national identity as well as politically active in supporting the Polish cause for independence during his lifetime. While these stories are interesting and add to the mystique surrounding the Nocturne in C♯ minor it is important to remember that they are largely speculative and cannot be confirmed with any certainty. 9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in E♭ major
Op. 9, No. 2 (1832) Chopin composed Nocturne in E♭ major in 1830, at the age of 20.
Nocturne in E♭ major
Op. 9, No. 2 (1832) It was published in 1832 and is one of his most famous and beloved works, and it helped to establish his reputation as a composer. It has a distinctive melody that is instantly recognizable. It begins with a slow and expressive melody played in the right hand, while the left hand provides a gentle accompaniment. The piece is in ternary form, which means it has three distinct sections. An A section, a contrasting middle B section and a return to the A section. Chopin was inspired to write this Nocturne by the beauty of the night sky. He once said, “I'm working on a Nocturne that I hope will be better than any that I've written. It's a kind of reverie in the moonlight on a beautiful spring evening.” Chopin himself reportedly said that the Nocturne in E♭major was one of his favorite compositions. He often played it at concerts and recitals, and it became one of his most popular works during his lifetime. The piece is dedicated to Marie Pleyel, the wife of Camille Pleyel, who was the owner of the Pleyel piano company. Marie was a talented amateur pianist who often performed Chopin's music in her salon, and he dedicated several of his works to her. Chopin had a close relationship with the Pleyels, and he often performed on their pianos. The dedication was a way for Chopin to express his gratitude and appreciation for their support. Chopin was known for being very particular about how his music was performed and he often gave detailed instructions to his students and fellow musicians. One anecdote tells of Chopin listening to a student practice this Nocturne and interrupting her to correct a single note that he felt was played too loudly. Supposedly saying, “Remember that this note must be played pianissimo. If you do not, the charm of the whole piece will be lost.” The Nocturne is often cited as an example of Chopin's unique blend of Polish and French musical styles. Chopin grew up in Poland and was deeply influenced by the folk music of his homeland but he also studied and performed extensively in France, where he developed a more sophisticated and refined style of composition. This Nocturne is seen as a perfect example of this fusion of styles, with its simple, folk-like melody and elegant, virtuosic accompaniment. Rachmaninoff was a great admirer of Chopin's music and often included his works in his own recitals. According to legend, he would sometimes play it as an encore, and audiences would be so moved by his performance that they would weep. The Nocturne is often associated with the salon culture of the 19th century. During this time, wealthy patrons would host intimate concerts in their homes, and Chopin was a popular performer in these settings. The Nocturne in and it continues to inspire new generations of performers and composers. 2. Nocturne in E♭ major
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in C minor
Op. 48, No. 1 (1842) Chopin composed Nocturne in C minor in 1841 and was published in 1842.
Nocturne in C minor Op. 48, No. 1 (1842)
The opening melody of the piece is based on a Polish song called Święty Boże (Holy God) which Chopin heard his father singing when he was a child. Chopin dedicated this Nocturne to one of his favorite students, Laure Duperré, who was also a close friend of George Sand George Sand and Chopin had a romantic relationship that lasted for nearly a decade They remained close until Chopin's death from tuberculosis in 1849. Chopin described this Nocturne as “an ode to misfortune” and said that he composed it during a particularly difficult time in his life. Some have suggested that the melancholy mood of the piece reflects Chopin's own inner turmoil. Franz Liszt wrote in a letter to a mutual acquaintance that Chopin described the Nocturne as “a reflection of his most intimate feelings a kind of confession of his inmost soul, which he would not have dared to confess to anyone face to face.” Chopin's letters to friends and family often reveal his preoccupation with the Nocturnes as a genre. He once wrote, “My Nocturnes take up all my time, I assure you. I am writing a third that is not yet finished, but which already pleases me.” He also commented, “Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art.” The middle section is marked by a sudden change to the major key, and is a tribute to Italian opera, which Chopin admired greatly. It contains a subtle reference to a musical motif from Mozart's Don Giovanni. It also serves as a kind of oasis from the stormy and turbulent opening section providing a moment of calm and introspection before the piece returns to its more dramatic and intense character in the coda. The piece was not well-received by some contemporary critics, who criticized it as a “thorough departure from the nocturne style.” However, it has since become known as one of Chopin's greatest emotional achievements. According to some accounts, Chopin originally composed the Nocturne as a musical tribute to the poet and close friend Adam Mickiewicz. Mickiewicz had recently died, and Chopin was deeply affected by his passing. Chopin reportedly played this Nocturne at his final public performance, which took place at London’s Guildhall in 1848. It was held in aid for the Polish refugees that had fled their in wake of the 1830-31 Polish–Russian War. He was severely suffering from tuberculosis at the time, yet his performance was described by many critics as brilliant. His performance was met with much applause, but Chopin had to leave the benefit early and collapsed in route to his home. He died just a year later of complications from tuberculosis. The final section of the piece returns to the opening melody, but with a new sense of resolution and finality. which creates a sense of sadness and inevitability. This technique is typical of Chopin's style and is used in many of his other works. The piece is known for its technical difficulty, particularly in the fast arpeggios in the final section. It is often regarded as one of Chopin's most challenging Nocturnes to play. The Nocturne is one of Chopin's longest pieces in the genre, lasting around seven minutes in performance. The piece is often cited as one of Chopin's most emotional and introspective works. According to George Sand, Chopin himself considered the piece to be one of his finest works. Sand wrote in a letter that Chopin “played it better than anything else he had ever composed” and that he was “more proud of it than of anything else he had written.” Overall, the Nocturne in C minor is a rich and complex work that continues to captivate listeners and musicians alike. 2. Nocturne in E♭ major
4. Nocturne in C minor
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in B♭ minor
Op. 9, No. 1 (1832) Chopin composed Nocturne in B♭ minor between 1830-1831, when he was in his early 20s.
Nocturne in B♭ minor
Op. 9, No. 1 (1832) The piece was published in 1832 as part of a collection of Nocturnes titled Trois Nocturnes pour le Piano (Three Nocturnes for Piano) which also included Nocturne in E♭ major and Nocturne in B major. The Nocturnes helped to establish Chopin as a leading composer of the Romantic era, particularly in the genre of the Nocturne, which he helped to popularize and develop. The set of three Nocturnes were dedicated to Marie Pleyel. It was published in 1832 by the Paris-based music publisher, Maurice Schlesinger. Around the same time as Chopin’s arrival in Paris. Schlesinger was a well-known publisher of classical music, and had published works from Mozart, Haydn and Beethoven. Chopin had already achieved some success as a composer in his native Poland, but the piece marked his first major publication in France. Legends about Nocturne in B♭ minor It was thought to have been inspired by Italian opera, particularly the bel canto style of Vincenzo Bellini. This influence can be heard in the long, flowing melodies and expressive, ornamented vocal lines that characterize the piece. Chopin was known to have been inspired by the sounds of nature, and many of his works incorporate elements of the natural world. The piece's haunting melody and lilting rhythms are said to evoke the peaceful stillness of a moonlit night. Robert Schumann, the German composer and music critic, was an early champion of Chopin's music. In a review he called it “cannons hidden among flowers,” praising its “richness of ideas” and “intense expression.” Franz Liszt, the Hungarian composer and pianist, was a close friend of Chopin's, and the two men admired each other's work. He said it was “one of the most poetical of Chopin's creations, with a melody that sings itself into the depths of the heart.” Johannes Brahms, the German composer, pianist, and conductor, was also a great admirer of Chopin's music. In a letter to a friend, he wrote “Chopin is the only composer who has found a way to reveal the secrets of the heart in music.” Sergei Rachmaninoff, the Russian composer, pianist, and conductor, was another admirer of Chopin's music, He once said that it was “a piece that could make you cry,” and he praised his use of rubato as “subtle and gentle, but always with a profound meaning.” Arthur Rubinstein, the Polish-American pianist, was one of the most famous interpreters of Chopin's music in the 20th century. He performed the piece often over the course of his career, and he described it as “the most perfect composition for piano solo ever written.” Chopin himself was often called upon to perform the Nocturne at social gatherings and salons. According to some accounts, his playing was so affecting that listeners would often become tearful from the emotion of the music. Composition of Nocturne in B♭ minor The piece is in ternary form, meaning it has three sections: A-B-A. The A section is characterized by a lilting, melancholy melody that is played over a gently arpeggiated accompaniment. The B section features a more contrasting melody in the relative major key (D♭ major) which eventually gives way to a reprise of the A section and the major-mode Picardy third ending. The piece is notated in 6/4 time, which means there are six quarter-note beats per measure. This time signature gives the piece a flowing, waltz-like feel. The piece is also marked Larghetto, which indicates a tempo that is slow and broadly expressive. The performer is also instructed to use rubato, a technique in which the rhythm is slightly stretched or compressed in order to convey the emotion of the music. There is some debate among musicologists and performers about the proper interpretation of Chopin's rubato markings in the Nocturne. Some believe that Chopin's rubato should be used sparingly and with great subtlety, while others argue that a more pronounced and expressive use of rubato is necessary to fully convey the emotional depth of the music. The Nocturne in cherished for its beauty, expressiveness and poetic qualities. 2. Nocturne in E♭ major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in D♭ major
Op. 27, No. 2 (1837) Nocturne in D♭ major was composed in 1836 as part of a set of two Nocturnes, the other being Nocturne C♯ minor. The piece is also sometimes referred to as the “Lento sostenuto” because of its slow, sustained tempo. Chopin himself described the piece as “a kind of ballade in blue,” emphasizing its melancholy and introspective character. In a letter to a friend he described it as “a kind of reverie, very flowery, of varied shades, sometimes cheerful, sometimes sad, like an elegant conversation between two people who understand each other perfectly who have the same tastes, but who sometimes misunderstand each other, and then immediately become reconciled.” The French composer Maurice Ravel once said, “In this Nocturne, Chopin achieves a poetry which is beyond human conception. It is truly celestial.” The Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote in a letter to a friend, “What a tender, poetic, melancholy, and inexpressibly charming piece it is! One cannot tire of playing it or of listening to it.” The Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, who was a contemporary and friend of Chopin, called the Nocturne, “a flower between two chasms” and praised its “supreme simplicity and candor.” The French composer and pianist Claude Debussy, who was heavily influenced by Chopin's music, wrote in a letter: “Chopin's Nocturne in D-flat Major is one of those pieces that make me think there is something in the world that is unutterably beautiful.” The German composer Robert Schumann, who was a champion of Chopin’s music, described the Nocturne as: “a soulful song, one of those that glide through the senses and give us infinite pleasure.” The enduring popularity and influence of Chopin's music is a testament to his enduring genius as a composer. Legends About According to some accounts, Chopin wrote the Nocturne for his student, the English pianist Jane Stirling, who was also his close friend and supporter. Stirling was said to be deeply moved by the piece, and she continued to play it throughout her life, sometimes introducing it as “my Nocturne.” Another story suggests that Chopin wrote the Nocturne during a visit to the Wodziński family estate in 1836. Chopin and Maria Wodzińska were engaged to be married, but due to Chopin's poor health, her father objected and it was called off. Although there is no written proof of this account, their relationship ending in 1837 may have influenced the melancholy nature of the Nocturne. According to one story, Chopin once played the Nocturne at a private concert for the Russian Tsar Nicholas I. The Tsar, who was known for his gruff demeanor, was so moved by the performance that he wept openly and embraced Chopin at the end of the piece. The final section of the piece is played softly and slowly, as if it is fading away. It creates a sense of calm and tranquility, as if the music is slowly drifting off into silence. It is a beautiful and understated ending that is typical of Chopin's style. The Nocturne in and is widely regarded as one of his most beautiful and expressive compositions. 1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in C minor
Op. Posth., B. 108 (1860) Chopin likely composed the Nocturne in C minor somewhere between 1837-1847, but it was not published during his lifetime.
Nocturne in C minor
Op. Posth., B. 108 (1860) It was first published posthumously in 1860 as part of a collection of 4 works that were submitted by Charlotte de Rothschild. More than 10 years after Chopin's death and was the last of the Nocturnes to be published. Charlotte had inherited some of his manuscripts after his death and published a new edition under She was a close friend of Chopin's family. The manuscript for the Nocturne is housed at the National Library of Poland in Warsaw. The manuscript is written in Chopin's own hand, and includes several corrections and revisions. The piece is relatively short compared to some of Chopin's other works, with a typical performance lasting around 3-4 minutes. The Nocturne was discovered after his death and was not actually given an opus number by Chopin, Instead, it is sometimes referred to as B. 108, which is the catalog number assigned to it by musicologists Krystyna Kobylańska. Her numbering system assigns a unique number to each of Chopin's compositions and prefixes it with the letter B. This stands for Brown, in reference to Maurice J.E. Brown another Chopin scholar who published a comprehensive catalog of Chopin's works in 1960. Speculations about Nocturne in C minor Chopin may have chosen not to publish this piece during his lifetime because he was known to be highly critical of his own work and would often revise and refine his compositions extensively before he deemed them ready for publication. Another theory is that he may have intended it to be part of a larger collection of nocturnes that he never got around to finalizing. According to some accounts, he was working on as many as 27 nocturnes at the time of his death. Nocturne in C minor may be one of Chopin’s lesser known works, but it is still a powerful piece that continues to captivate and inspire. 1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
6. Nocturne in C minor (Posth.)
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in B major
Op. 32, No. 1 (1837) Nocturne in B major was composed and published in 1837 as part of a set of two Nocturnes, the other being Nocturne in
Nocturne in B major
Op. 32, No. 1 (1837) The two Nocturnes were dedicated to Madame la Baronne de Billing, who was a baroness born of Courbonne, France. Not much is known about who she was, but some have suggested it was a pseudonym for Baroness Charlotte de Rothschild. Chopin provided piano lessons to Charlotte, who was already an accomplished pianist in her own right. The Rothschild family were very wealthy and at the center of Parisian culture. They were also big supporters of the arts and Chopin. Chopin's health was in decline during this period, and he suffered from a number of physical and emotional ailments. However he still spent much of 1837 working on the Nocturne in B major, as well as several other pieces, including the Polonaise in F-sharp minor, Op. 44, and the Sonata in B-flat minor, Op. 35. Legends About The Nocturne may have been written during his stay in Nohant with his lover, Aurore Dupin, better known by her pen name, George Sand. Chopin was staying at George Sand's country home in Nohant during the summer of 1836. One story goes that Chopin was inspired to write the Nocturne while sitting in her garden, listening to the sound of a nearby stream. Supposedly he wrote down the opening melody on a piece of paper and then continued to develop the piece over the course of several weeks. Another account describes how Chopin would play the piece for George Sand as he worked on it, seeking her feedback and input on the music. Despite their close collaboration on artistic matters, Chopin and George Sand's relationship was often fraught with tension and disagreement. It is also said that Chopin once played the Nocturne for his friend Franz Liszt, who was impressed by the piece and remarked that “such music should be engraved in burnished letters of gold.” The opening melody is said to have been inspired by a song Chopin heard sung by a Venetian gondolier during one of his trips to Italy. Chopin was known to have been greatly inspired by the music and culture of Italy, as evidenced by his letters and personal writings. It is important to note that none of these speculations are definitive, and that the true reasons for Chopin's inspirations are not fully known. Structuring of Nocturne in B major The piece is marked Andante sostenuto, which means “slow and sustained.” The piece is in ternary form (A-B-A), with a slow and lyrical A section followed by a more agitated B section, and then a return to the A section. The final chord of the Nocturne has been the subject of some debate among musicologists and performers. It is marked as a B minor chord in the original score, however the piece is written in B major and most of the harmonies are consistent with that. key. Artur Rubinstein commented, “In the Debussy edition of Chopin, which I like, the B major nocturne ends with a major chord. In Chopin one shouldn’t discuss such things. Chopin changed his works constantly. I play the major chord because the minor chord weakens the ending: it weakens the whole theme.” 1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
6. Nocturne in C minor (Posth.)
8. Nocturne in B major
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in E minor
Op. 72, No. 1 (1855) Nocturne in E minor was composed around 1826 when he was about 16, but was not published until 1855 posthumously.
Nocturne in E minor
Op. 72, No. 1 (1855) It was published by Julian Fontana, a Polish pianist and friend of Chopin's. Fontana organized and edited the unpublished Nocturne and assigned it Opus number 72. Of the three posthumous Nocturnes, this one might of been the first Nocturne he wrote. However, the final result did not satisfy him which may be why he chose not to publish it during his lifetime. The piece has a tempo marked as Andante and is written in ABAB form with a coda that leads to a quiet conclusion. The A section is written in E minor & B major while the B section is written in E minor & E major. Casimir Wierzyknski, a Polish poet and journalist, wrote in his book titled: “The Life and Death of Chopin” “Up to the time of Chopin's Nocturnes, this form had been the exclusive domain of John Field, an Irish-born composer. Chopin broke with the simple and graceful character of Field's Nocturnes, giving them instead a passionate, melancholy character that was entirely his own. The last one in E minor did not satisfy Chopin, and was not published until after his death.” Franz Liszt said of Chopin’s Nocturnes: “We have seen the shy, serenely tender emotions which Field charged them to interpret, supplanted by strange and foreign effects. Only one genius possessed himself of this style, lending to it all the movement and ardour of which it was susceptible. Chopin, in his poetic Nocturnes, sang not only the harmonies which are the source of our most ineffable delights, but likewise the restless, agitating bewilderment to which they often give rise.” Robert Schumann commented, “Chopin's Nocturnes are a revelation in music. They do not bear the character of a nocturne in the sense of the word. Instead, they are poems that dissolve into mist, into a nebulous night-world.” Schumann often spoke highly of Chopin’s music, once famously saying “Hats off, gentlemen, a genius”. Chopin never reciprocated as he did not care for Schumann’s music. In a letter to his friend Tytus Woyciechowski, an early friend of Chopin’s, he wrote: “One must not force composition, everything must come spontaneously from the soul, then it is only true and beautiful.” In another letter he wrote, “Music should express something that cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” Chopin also had a great appreciation for the beauty and expressiveness of the piano as an instrument. He wrote extensively about the technical aspects of playing the piano and the importance of nuance and sensitivity in interpretation. Chopin elevated the Nocturne genre to a more sophisticated level of art, creating a new genre of romantic expression. They were hugely popular during his lifetime and continue to be admired for their beauty and emotional depth. Chopin's Nocturne in E minor, written at such a young age, is a masterpiece of Romantic piano music. It truly showcases the composer's unique blend of virtuosity, expressiveness and lyrical beauty. 1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
6. Nocturne in C minor (Posth.)
7. Nocturne in E minor
8. Nocturne in B major
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
Community Nocturne in G minor
Op. 37, No. 1 (1840) Chopin composed Nocturne in G minor in 1838, and it was published as a set of two Nocturnes in 1840. This piece along with Nocturne in G Major, were one of the few Nocturnes without a dedication. This piece has a tempo marked andante sostenuto and is written in ternary form. The A section is in G minor and the B section is a chorale-like section written in The Nocturne was composed during the time Chopin and George Sand stayed on the island of Mallorca in the winter of 1838-1839. They had traveled to the island in search of a warmer climate that would be beneficial to Chopin's health, as he was suffering from tuberculosis, but they found themselves facing a series of difficulties and hardships. The couple settled in a monastery in the small town of Valldemossa, However, the accommodations were cramped and uncomfortable. They also had to deal with frequent rain and cold temperatures, which made it difficult for Chopin to find relief for his illness. Despite these challenges, Chopin was able to compose the Nocturne as well as the famous “Raindrop” Prelude in D-flat major. The couple eventually left Mallorca in February of 1839 and returned to Paris, where Chopin's health continued to decline. He became increasingly more dependent on George Sand for care and support and his output became more sporadic and his health problems more severe. When the Nocturne was finally published in 1840 it was received with great critical acclaim. Reviewers praised the piece for its “melodic richness, lyricism and expressive depth.” Composer Robert Schumann stated it was “of that nobler kind under which poetic ideality gleams more transparently.” He also said, “two nocturnes differ from his earlier ones chiefly through greater simplicity of decoration and more quiet grace.” Composer Maurycy Karasowski commented about the middle section having “a church-like atmosphere in chords.” and also commented that “some biographers have felt that this music represented Chopin's faith in the consoling power of religion.” However, Chopin's personal relationship with religion is somewhat unclear, and there is no evidence to suggest that he was particularly religious. He did not typically draw on religious themes or motifs in his music, despite being raised Roman Catholic. Instead, his works were more focused on exploring the emotional and expressive possibilities of the piano, as well as the technical and expressive capabilities of the performer. In a letter to his friend Julian Fontana, Chopin wrote: “I am not a poet, nor an orator, but a musician...Music is the language of feeling and of passion, as words are the language of reason.” This suggests that Chopin saw music as a way to express emotions and feelings that might be difficult to put into words. In another letter to Fontana, Chopin wrote: “I am seeking a language that can express the things that I feel but cannot say... I want to be the poet of the piano.” This statement suggests that Chopin saw himself as a composer who used the piano as a means of expression. In a letter to fellow composer Ferdinand Hiller, Chopin wrote: “My music is an expression of my soul, and I am always striving to capture the elusive beauty and emotion of life in my compositions.” On his approach to composing, Chopin once said: “I want to speak to their hearts, to awaken in them something that is silent and dormant, that is their deepest and most personal possession.” Chopin was a very private person, and his letters provide rare glimpses into his personal life and relationships, as well as his views on his music and the arts. Overall, Chopin's Nocturne in G Minor is a testament to the composer's unique and innovative voice in the Romantic era and demonstrates his mastery of the nocturne genre as well his growth and development as an artist. 1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
6. Nocturne in C minor (Posth.)
7. Nocturne in E minor
8. Nocturne in B major
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
11. Nocturne in G minor
Community Nocturne in F major
Op. 15, No. 1 (1833) Nocturne in F major was composed in 1832 and published in 1833 as a set of three Nocturnes.
Nocturne in F major
Op. 15, No. 1 (1833) All three pieces were dedicated to Ferdinand Hiller, a German composer and conductor who was a friend of Chopin. Hiller and Chopin met in Paris between 1828 and 1835, where they became close friends. Chopin wrote in a letter to a friend saying: “Hiller is an immensely talented fellow, a former pupil of Hummel, whose concerto and Symphony produced a great effect three days ago. He’s on the same lines as Beethoven, but a man full of poetry, fire, and spirit.” The piece is written in ternary form, with the A section featuring the main melody and the B section with a fast and dramatic accompaniment. The piece is in 3/4 time and the beginning tempo is marked andante cantabile (Flowing and songlike). The left hand is played sempre legato (Always smoothly) and the right hand is played semplice e tranquillo (Simple and calm). The B section is marked with a tempo con fuoco (With fire), meaning that it should be a little faster than it otherwise would be. Chopin was known for his extensive use of musical markings, such as tempo indications, dynamic markings, articulations etc. Musicologist Charles Rosen wrote that it “provides a powerful contrast to the A section, with its more declamatory and dramatic character.” “one of the most dramatic moments in Chopin's nocturnes.” Hugo Leichtentritt, a German musicologist and composer wrote: “Chopin juxtaposed an idyll of sounds, bright, delicate and pleasant, illumined by the sun, with a tempest that erupts suddenly with violence and brute force”. Chopin wrote the Nocturne in his early years of living in Paris when he was 22, shortly after moving there around 1831. He was a young and relatively unknown composer at the time, but quickly established himself in the Parisian musical scene. He quickly became a sought-after performer in private salons and intimate settings, which he preferred over public concerts. Chopin's delicate and introspective style of playing was better suited to smaller, more intimate venues. Though, Chopin would make his first public concert debut in Paris on February 26, 1832 at the Salle Pleyel. Among the audience was another composer and pianist, Franz Liszt, who would become Chopin’s close friend and advocate. Chopin composed some of his most iconic works during his time in Paris, and this Nocturne represents a pivotal moment in his cementing his legacy as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era. 1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
3. Nocturne in F major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
6. Nocturne in C minor (Posth.)
7. Nocturne in E minor
8. Nocturne in B major
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
11. Nocturne in G minor
Community Nocturne in F minor
Op. 55, No. 1 (1844) Nocturne in F Minor was composed between 1842-1843 and was published as part of a set of two nocturnes in 1844.
Nocturne in F minor
Op. 55, No. 1 (1844) They were dedicated to Chopin’s pupil and admirer Mademoiselle Jane W. Stirling. She was a Scottish noblewoman who was a patron and a close friend of Chopin's. The piece is written in ternary form with a time signature of 4/4 or common time. The A section is marked Andante (Moderately slow) and the B section is marked Più mosso (quickly) and is more agitated and dramatic. The two Nocturnes were among only a few pieces Chopin composed around 1843 as his health was still rapidly declining. Charles Hallé, an Anglo-German pianist and conductor, visited Chopin and found him, “hardly able to move, bent like a half-opened penknife and evidently in great pain”, Although it has been said that his spirits would return when he would play the piano for his visitors. During this time Franz Liszt was known to perform Chopin’s works adding numerous embellishments, to Chopin's annoyance. After performing one of his nocturnes Chopin remarked that, “he should play the music as written or not play it at all”. In a letter he wrote to his friend and composer Ferdinand Hiller he remarked: I should like to rob him of the way he plays my studies.” Despite the feud, Chopin still referred to him as “my friend Liszt
although the incident created a rift between them. Up until 1841 they had performed together on several occasions and Chopin dedicated the entire Études Op. 10 set to him. After Chopin’s first public concert in Paris, which Liszt had attended, he said: “The most vigorous applause seemed not to suffice to our enthusiasm in the presence of this talented musician, who revealed a new phase of poetic sentiment combined with such happy innovation in the form of his art.” Chopin spent much of his remaining years in Paris composing and teaching piano. He also continued to receive visitors, including fellow musicians, writers, and artists, at his apartment in Paris. He would spend most summers at George Sand's estate in the french country side of Nohant until 1846. Their passionate and tumultuous relationship ended in 1847 after almost a decade of being together. George Sand described the break up as “a strange conclusion to nine years of exclusive friendship”. Even after their separation, they continued to correspond and remained connected through their shared artistic endeavors. Chopin would leave Paris for London during the 1848 French Revolution and performed at numerous concerts and receptions in great houses. Jane Stirling suggested the tour and supported it financially. After Chopin’s final public concert in November 1848, he returned to Paris. He remained there with until his death on October 17, 1849 at the age of 39. Those present were a few of his closest friends and his sister Ludwika. Chopin's legacy is marked by his enduring influence on music, writing 21 Nocturnes that not only popularized the genre, but helped shape it as well. Remembered as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic era, whose works for the piano captured the beauty and emotional depth of music, forever leaving an indelible mark on the music world and influencing generations of composers to come. 1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
3. Nocturne in F major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
6. Nocturne in C minor (Posth.)
7. Nocturne in E minor
8. Nocturne in B major
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
10. Nocturne in F minor
11. Nocturne in G minor Community
1. Nocturne in D♭ major
2. Nocturne in E♭ major
3. Nocturne in F major
4. Nocturne in C minor
5. Nocturne in B♭ minor
6. Nocturne in C minor (Posth.)
7. Nocturne in E minor
8. Nocturne in B major
9. Nocturne in C♯minor
10. Nocturne in F minor
11. Nocturne in G minor Up Next
