Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne 11
in G Minor, Op. 37 No. 1

Only at the very end of this Nocturne does sorrow turn into acceptance, in the form of a Picardy third.

ID: 1020
Frédéric Chopin - Nocturnes:

Nocturne 11
Op. 37 No. 1

Key: G Minor
Year: 1840
Level: 7
Period: Early Romantic
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Melody overtaken by sorrow

Sadness predominates in the outer sections of the Nocturne in g minor, Op. 37 no. 1. In the main theme, a left hand consisting of a continuously sighing motif in chords underlines a wistfully descending melodic line in the right hand. Though the melody seems to seek occasional consolation in the relative major, it keeps getting overtaken by sorrow until the chorale-like middle section in E flat major offers a moment of comfort. Being built on a simple chordal melody, this section reveals a kinship with the Nocturne in G minor Op. 15 no. 3, which ends with a similar idea. In this Nocturne, however, the opening section makes a full return after the respite of the middle section, and only at the very end does sorrow turn into acceptance, in the form of a Picardy third.

Background

The Nocturnes Op. 37 were written in 1839 during the time of Chopin's stay in Mallorca with his lover, author George Sand. They were published in 1840.


Forum posts about this piece:

Anyone familiar with Chopin's Nocturne Op. 37 No. 1 by littleman713
Hello fellow pianists...  This one of my favorite Nocturnes.  So much so I plan to use this as one of my pieces to enter music sch...

Anyone familiar with Chopin's Nocturne Op. 37 No. 1 by littleman713
Hello fellow pianists...  This one of my favorite Nocturnes.  So much so I plan to use this as one of my pieces to enter music school.  D...


Member's recordings of piece:

Chopin Deux nocturnes op.37 Video by steinwayargentina
Hi these are Chopins Deux Nocturnes op.37 played by me in a Recital I gave in Santa Fe, Argentina for Mozarteum Concerts Season. Thanks fo...


Members who like this piece have also downloaded:

Frédéric Chopin: Nocturne Op. 37 No. 1 in G Minor from Nocturnes - piano sheet music to print instantly. This piece is level 7 and was composed during the Early Romantic period.
This piece is composed by Frédéric Chopin and was published in 1840. Title: Nocturne, Op. 37 No. 1 in G Minor from Nocturnes. The difficulty level if graded by ABRSM would be approximately 7 and it belongs to the Early Romantic period.