Piano Nocturnes

[dreamplaying]

I was playing a nocturne by these days and was wondering about this wonderful internal and introspective kind of music. Chopin is of course well known for his nocturnes but which nocturne (or composers) would you think and recommend to experience the maximal expression of this music genre? 

[opuswriter]

Difficult question! They are all very personal and each has a depth of its own, but I would try op.27 no.2 in D flat major and op.48 no.1 in C minor. Also, two of Chopin's most beautiful nocturnes (in all but name) are Lento con gran pressione in E minor and the Barcarolle op.60.

// Jason Lee

[princess_moose]

They are all quite different, and mean different things to each person. The Db major is the one I prefer the most, it just has something about it.

Have you listened to any of John Fields' Nocturnes?

[thorn]

Have a look at Faure's Nocturnes...

the Debussy Nocturne in D flat is also one of the most beautiful nocturnes i have heard.

[hodi]

fanny mendelssohn has nice ones..
alkan too.
attached a nocturne by fanny mendelssohn

[thalbergmad]

I have played nocturnes by Alkan, Henselt and Thalberg.

There is much beauty to be found away from the Chopin ones.

The Alkan Op22 is a particular favourite of mine.

Thal

[dreamplaying]

I have played nocturnes by Alkan, Henselt and Thalberg.

There is much beauty to be found away from the Chopin ones.

The Alkan Op22 is a particular favourite of mine.

Thal

Alkan, Henselt and Thalberg...Those are very new names for me. I would be pleased to have a look in to the scores. Do you have the scores ?...

Some nocturnes by Fauré are my favourite specially Nº6.

Thanks in advance

[thalbergmad]

Here are the scores.

Hope you enjoy playing through them.

Thal

[burstroman]

For something a bit unusual, look at the Satie Nocturnes.  A pleasant surprise.

[sarahlein]

Try also this:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,1943.msg15389.html
(nocturnes)

[ail]

Try also this:

https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,1943.msg15389.html
(nocturnes)

I've played a beautiful and easy nocturne by Galos called The Lac de Côme. It's short, but beautiful.
As a side note, I change a little bar in the LH somewhere because I felt it was dull, but barred that, I loved it.

There was also another one by Mascarenhas, I guess, that I also liked very much, but I can't remember the number.

As for Chopin's, I like especially no 19 (Em, if I'm not mistaken), no. 11, no.13, no.20 and 21 and of course no.1. I like many of his nocturnes.

Jason, could you please tell the numbers of the Nocturnes you've mentioned? I can't recognize them by your indications :-(

Alex

[lisztisforkids]

fanny mendelssohn has nice ones..
alkan too.
attached a nocturne by fanny mendelssohn

 *.. This is good sheyat..

[dreamplaying]

Here are the scores.

Hope you enjoy playing through them.

Thal

Thanks a los Thal for the scores I certainly loved these nocturnes. Alkan is now an important name to take into account.

Merci

[stevie]

Here are the scores.

Hope you enjoy playing through them.

Thal

thanks, but are those semen stains on the thalberg?

[thalbergmad]

thanks, but are those semen stains on the thalberg?

Nah, Captain Pugwash.

Thal

[opuswriter]

fanny mendelssohn has nice ones..
alkan too.
attached a nocturne by fanny mendelssohn

Does anyone have the sheets for this nocturne? I have never played anything by Mendelssohn's sister, would be very nice to give it a play.

Best,

// Jason

[verywellmister]

Tchaikovsky wrote one.  It is no.4 from his Pieces, Op.19 and in C# minor.  It's on Lang lang's debut CD.

[rafant]

Only because they are not mentioned yet, let me call your attention to the Grieg's, Tchaikovsky's and the 3 Liszt's nocturnes. Of course I strongly second the Faure's and Field's suggestions above. For the latter, maybe you want to listen my recording in the Audition room, if you like it, you sure could play it longly better.

[nanabush]

Barber wrote one, you can find on GF... it's pretty cool, just heard it for the first time today.. very expressive, but sounds and looks f'in difficult..

[jre58591]

let's not forget john field, the man who invented nocturnes.

[pianistimo]

barber?  his nocturne is quite interesting.

[nanabush]

let's not forget john field, the man who invented nocturnes.

I played one of his nocturnes a while ago for a piano exam, grd 8 in canada... and recently discovered that it was a watered down version with all the tricky parts removed; what seemed to be a innocent little nocturne turned out to have several difficult runs, and a few runs of thirds  ... I never listened to Field's nocturnes because the one I played [i thought] was so crappy... but after realizing it's a brilliant piece, I've gotta look more into his works.

[kitty on the keys]

this is a great post and full of information. I was going to recommend, Field, Faure, Debussy,Barber. Then some intersting names came up. Thanks for the downloads. I've always wanted to give a lecture recital on the "Nocturne", now i have more  data. Thanks !


Kitty