Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne 7
in C-sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 1
One of Chopin's most emotionally powerful Nocturnes.
Year: 1836
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: PS Urtext 
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A struggle between darkness and light
The Nocturne in c sharp minor of Op. 27 is arguably one of Chopin's most emotionally powerful Nocturnes. In many ways, it seems to be a struggle between two opposing forces - darkness and light. In its creeping, almost morbid outer sections, a pleading melody sings like a frail, lonely bird over the blackness of the left hand's unusually widespread arpeggios. Open fifths and subtle dissonances in the left hand reinforce the atmosphere, with only the slightest hint of a ray of hope occasionally shining through, even as a counter-melody joins in, turning the main theme into a sorrowful duet. It is not until the middle section that catharsis arrives in the form of an anxious, vehement crescendo exploding with astonishing power into a huge, triumphant climax, which is followed by a moment of sunshine. However, despair soon overtakes joy, leading back to the opening material. Only in the coda does light finally extinguish the darkness, the melodies of the duet lovingly cradling each other into the ending on a Picardy third.Background
The Nocturnes of Op. 27 were written in 1836 and published in 1837. They mark the transition to Chopin publishing Nocturnes in pairs instead of three Nocturnes per opus. In what may or may not be a curious coincidence, they share opus number and tonal centers (c sharp minor and D flat major) with the movements of Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata Op. 27 no. 2.Forum posts about this piece:
easiest nocturne 27/1 or etude 25/1? by nicebob
hello everybody, i am coming back to the piano after years of non playing. i would say i am level beginner+, (schubert impromptu 90/2, nocturnes 9/1&2 , first page etude 25/11-just to see if i could...
Chopin Nocturne op 27 no 1, a few questions by thinkgreenlovepiano
Hi everyone, My teacher recently assigned me Chopin's Nocturne in c sharp minor, op 27 no 1, and I have a few questions about certain parts of this piece. I won't be having lessons for a few...
fast scale in chopin nocturne by term
I'm new, so first: hello Forum =) Im currently working on chopins nocturne in c# minor, but i have a problem with the fast scale near the end, the one with 35 notes. I tried different approaches...
Chopin, Nocture in C# minor, opinions? by lagin
Okay, I want your opinions people. To give you an idea where I'm at, I just finished Beethoven's Pathetique sonata first movement, or rather I'm just at the perfecting stage now. I have it at...
Op. 27 No. 1 or No. 2? by sissco
I want to play Op. 27 from chopin but wich one is the easiest? Thx,...
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Nocturne Op. 27 No. 1 in C-sharp Minor, a composition by the early romantic composer Frédéric Chopin. The piano score of this piece was first published in 1836 and is part of Nocturnes by Chopin.