Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne 20
in C-sharp Minor, B. 49
The unique, nostalgic mood of this Nocturne apparently makes it able to melt the most hardened hearts - there is a famous story that the pianist Natalia Karp’s life was spared as a direct result of playing this Nocturne in the concentration camp where she was a prisoner during World War II.
Year: 1830
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
"Reminiscence"
Chopin's 20th Nocturne, sometimes also called “Reminiscence,” was only published two decades after the composer died. The pervading mood is incredibly sad, but there are hints of hope or perhaps happy memories in a ppp-episode in the middle section, and in the very touching shift to C-sharp major at the very end. The technical fireworks are minimized in this piece, but the player needs to have a keen sense of rhythm and pulse. The melodic line incorporates great bunches of notes called “lets.” Duplets, triplets, and quintuplets are three examples, but Chopin even uses a “35-let!”Background
Chopin dedicated this Nocturne to his sister as a “warmup” to learning his second piano concerto. He borrowed themes from that concerto when composing this piece. The piece is famous for being a life-saver during World War II - it was played by Holocaust survivor Natalia Karp for the Nazi concentration camp commandant Amon Goeth, and it was what Wladyslaw Szpilman played for Wilhelm Hosenfeld to inspire him to save him during Spilman’s isolation in Warsaw.Forum posts about this piece:
Choosing Between My Passion for Piano and Academic Success: Need Advice for Univ by erdishahini
Hey, people! I find myself in a tough position and would greatly appreciate your opinions and advice. Let me provide some context: I live ...
How much fingering change is too much fingering change? by ncovkilledmypractice
I am having trouble with the left hand of Chopin's Nocturne no. 20, and for some reason I try to legato the first and second note of eve...
Help! I'm struggling to find a summer music program! by chopinonions
I am currently struggling to find a music program that is around my skill level. I have 13 years of experience in classical music (solo, no ...
Broken metacarpal bone by back_in_black
Hi, I am 22 years old and I am playing piano since childhood, but I've been training for 2 years so that you can understand my level of...
Improving as a pianist by simply_piano
Hi all, I have been playing the piano for over 13 years now, and have recently completed my grade 8 ABRSM piano. Examples of repertoire; ...
What should I learn next? by alvaritooo13
Hi there! About a month ago I finished the Nocturne in C# Minor by Chopin as well as the Waltz in A minor and the Valse d'Amelie and I ...
What etudes should I play? by mistralx
Hi guys, I would like to ask you for some advices about etudes. Currently I am working on: Debbusy's Arabesque no. 1 Chopin's no...
Chopin's Nocturne in c-sharp minor - what to improve? by mistralx
Hello guys! I am currently working on the mentioned Chopin's nocturne and would like to ask you for advices. I recorded just a first p...
treatment of scale in bar 59 of Chopin's Nocturne in C sharp minor, op post. by kalairajah
Can someone advice on how best to play the scale in bar 59? Do you play this evenly or do u slow down on the way up and accelerate on the wa...
How to get a better time administration? by faa2010
Before June, I need to get the next pieces: - 4 songs of Bartok For children. - Haydn Sonata XVI no 17 (at least the first 2 movements) -...
How to play escales faster? by chechig
Hi everyone. I'm having a bit of a problem learning the Nocturne n 20 in C sharp minor by Chopin. The problem is the last big escale in...
Help with technique and tension issues? by cyray7
I have been learning to play piano for a while now but I've been having a lot of problems lately continuing to make progress. I can...
Introducing myself by lb023
Dear people of this forum, My name is Laurens, I am a 23 year old law student living in the Netherlands. I have been visiting this forum qu...
Recital for my mother! Help me prepare and choose piece(s)? Thanks. by reiyza
Hello guys, its me again. I'm preparing for my mother's birthday recital this coming december 31st. I was wondering if you guys ...
Liebestraum no 1 - Liszt by jamesaknight
Just looking for some advice regarding the difficulty of this piece. I am currently playing Clair De Lune and Chopin Nocturne 20 and can co...
Re: Need classical piano music suggestions for exam please by ziggy50
Actually I only have to learn two. Thanks for the replies everyone :) I was thinking of Chopin nocturne in C sharp minor and Chopin nocturne...
Member's recordings of piece:
Chopin, F. Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. posth. by c_minor
Hi everyone, Here's a recording of me playing Chopin's 20th nocturne. Constructive criticism appreciated as always. :)...
Chopin Nocturne No. 20 Op. Posth by pianoville
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTrx283LuWs&t=10s The audio isn't optimal but I hope you enjoy it anyways! ...
Chopin Nocturne No.20 in c sharp minor by whitewing95
Hello everyone, please watch my performance of this nocturne I appreciate any feedback or comment enjoy ;) youtu.be/SqEeoTKk0Xo...
Chopin Nocturne No.20 in C-Sharp Minor by Elaine Yu by elainemusic369
[url=www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsEdP84xDYc]www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsEdP84xDYc[/url]...
Chopin - Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. posth. (my new performance) by stylerpiano
Dear All! This is the 2. nocturne that I learned from Chopin. I posted it 1-2 weeks ago here, but I tried to corrigate what you mentioned. ...
Chopin Nocturne in C-sharp Minor and others by beethovenfan01
Here are the other four pieces-- Chopin Nocturne in C-sharp Minor, Op. Posthumous Rachmaninoff Moment Musical No. 5, Op. 16 No. 5 Schuber...
Debussy Girl the Flaxen Hair Prelude by beethovenfan01
Hello. This is my first time actually making recordings, and I'd like a little feedback on these pieces. First one is Debussy. The ot...
Chopin - Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. posth. by stylerpiano
Hello Everybody! I recorded this piece on saturday with my new piano. This is the 2. Nocturne that I learned from Chopin. I think this is o...
Nocturne in C-sharp minor by jasonpiano
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKdPrvUFuIU Any comment is welcome....
Frederic Chopin - Nocturne #20 Opus Posth. by stefanelya
Hello, I'd like to post this nocturne in my interpretation. Any suggestions are very much appreciated, it'll help me improve my pl...
Chopin Nocturne No. 20 C# Minor by monkeydudexd
I started this Nocturne about five days ago. I have a student recital at my school, and I decided to choose this technically easy Nocturne t...
VIDEO: Yet another rendition of the C# minor Nocturne by Chopin by gligeti
With so many performances here, let me post my humble interpretation.. It is not nice of me to have an edited video, but I had only limited...
Chopin Nocturne No. 20 in C# Minor, from my new CD album "Classical Soul" by matterintospirit
www.cdbaby.com/cd/halfreedman...
Chopin - Nocturne cis minor/ moll by agentdark713
Hi! I've recorded a version of Chopin's cis minor Nocturne. Enjoy listening! www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPtn0XqWFQ8...
Nocturne in C sharp minor by fangpiano
Hi everyone, check out my playing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZNqRCl9wK8 Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Tina...
Members who like this piece have also downloaded:
Nocturne Op. posth. in C-sharp Minor, a composition by the early romantic composer Frédéric Chopin who was born in 1810 and died in 1849. The piano score of this piece was first published in 1830 and is part of Chopin's Nocturnes.