Frédéric Chopin
Nocturnes
About Frédéric Chopin's Nocturnes
The Nocturnes span the whole of Chopin’s career, and among them are some of the composer’s most beloved works, such as the infinitely tender and graceful Op. 9 No. 2 in E-flat. But they can also be viewed as a sort of experiment chamber, where Chopin, so to speak in the obscurity of the dark, tries out some of his most daring harmonic and formal inventions.
Mention is often made of the influence on Chopin of the Irishman John Field, generally credited as the father of the nocturne. While there is no doubt that links exist between the two, it’s also certain that Chopin’s temperament was quite different from that of his predecessor, as was the range of his modes of expression.
Liszt wrote:
“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”.
| Preview | Title | Key | Year | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Nocturne 1 Op. 9 No. 1 | B-flat Minor | 1833 | 8 |
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Nocturne 2 Op. 9 No. 2 | E-flat Major | 1833 | 7 |
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Nocturne 3 Op. 9 No. 3 | B Major | 1833 | 7 |
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Nocturne 4 Op. 15 No. 1 | F Major | 1834 | 8 |
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Nocturne 5 Op. 15 No. 2 | F-sharp Major | 1834 | 7 |
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Nocturne 6 Op. 15 No. 3 | G Minor | 1834 | 7 |
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Nocturne 7 Op. 27 No. 1 | C-sharp Minor | 1836 | 8 |
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Nocturne 8 Op. 27 No. 2 | D-flat Major | 1836 | 8 |
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Nocturne 9 Op. 32 No. 1 | B Major | 1837 | 8 |
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Nocturne 10 Op. 32 No. 2 | A-flat Major | 1837 | 7 |
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Nocturne 11 Op. 37 No. 1 | G Minor | 1840 | 7 |
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Nocturne 12 Op. 37 No. 2 | G Major | 1840 | 7 |
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Nocturne 13 Op. 48 No. 1 | C Minor | 1842 | 8 |
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Nocturne 14 Op. 48 No. 2 | F-sharp Minor | 1842 | 8 |
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Nocturne 15 Op. 55 No. 1 | F Minor | 1844 | 7 |
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Nocturne 16 Op. 55 No. 2 | E-flat Major | 1844 | 7 |
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Nocturne 17 Op. 62 No. 1 | B Major | 1846 | 8 |
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Nocturne 18 Op. 62 No. 2 | E Major | 1846 | 8 |
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Nocturne 19 Op. 72 No. 1 | E Minor | 1837 | 7 |
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Nocturne 20 B. 49 | C-sharp Minor | 1830 | 8 |
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Nocturne 21 B. 108 | C Minor | 1848 | 7 |
Forum posts about the Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin
What pieces to listen to by lilyng
Hello everyone This is my first post on this forum :) I'm an intermediate pianist (I think? I've been learning piano for 6 years n...
Opinions on music without fingering by jimf12
I just took advantage of Henle's US Black Friday sale, and got the first volume of Haydn's Piano Sonatas at a nice discount. ...
Chopin Nocturne Edition used by Moravec. by gtdpiano
Hello. I really like Moravec's performance of Nocturnes that I found on youtube.com here. youtu.be/kHXxWfSAxik (Sorry, in prev...
Chopin Paderewski Edition PDF / Digital Download by kofikonstantin
Hello does anyone know where i can buy the PDFs or digital formats for Paderewski editions of Chopins nocturnes or Etudes / Stuides? I cant ...
Exactly how difficult are Chopin Nocturnes? by svetlio320
Hi, I've recently perfected the Nocturne op55 no1 and have been wondering how difficult are the Nocturnes Op48 no1, Op27 no1,no2 and wh...
How difficult are Chopin Nocturnes by svetlio320
Hi, I've recently perfected the Nocturne op55 no1 and have been wondering how difficult are the Nocturnes Op48 no1, Op27 no1,no2 and wh...
Avoiding pieces at my level by 1piano4joe
Hi all, I've been avoiding pieces at my level for some time now. I find them too demanding, challenging, laborious, exhausting, boring...
Chopin Nocturnes: Which are your favorites? by billym
I am aware that Chopin's nocturnes are discussed somewhat too frequently. But I haven't really gotten a beneficial measure of whic...
A full recital (one hour) by andhow04
dear everyone, here is the link to my full video-recital, Poets of the Piano: Contrasts which premiered on youtube yesterday. in the descri...
Underrated Chopin Nocturnes? by anacrusis
I would venture a guess that most people know and love the most famous nocturnes, such as Op. 9 no. 2 in E flat major (perhaps also Op. 9 no...
Chopin nocturne question by pianopuff
Hi, I have played only a few Chopin nocturnes (Op. 9 no 1 and 2, as well as the posthumous nocturnes and Op 37 no 1). Many are lovely but a ...
How to learn faster and increase my level but with quality? by faa2010
Sometimes I feel somehow frustrated because of my slow progress. Although I have played for more than 10 years the piano, I am still at an...
In need of an underrated substantial romantic work. by illystraiter
I'm sad because I just found out Chopin's nocturnes are not considered "substantial" romantic works. What would then be ...
Is it possible to make progress with only 30 minutes a day? by dontcheeseme
I have other hobbies as well, and also get easily burnt out hence the relatively short duration of practice I'm capable of investing. M...
Henle Edition by samwitdangol
Hello! I have a short question. Is the Henle edition a good edition? I am using it for Chopin's nocturnes and Beethoven's sonata...