Chopin opus catalogue

[soderlund]

I just wanted to say that I have finished memorising Chopins opus catalogue, which opus is which and keys for every piece. I have not yet got to the posthumous opus number, but I have used my time during bus travels and waiting times constructively.

[Alde]

I just wanted to say that I have finished memorising Chopins opus catalogue, which opus is which and keys for every piece. I have not yet got to the posthumous opus number, but I have used my time during bus travels and waiting times constructively.

Good for you.  With all due respect, Chopin did not compose a lot of music (in comparison to the other great composers).  I would be impressed if you memorized Bach or Mozart's total compositions.

[soderlund]

Yes, I am aware of this. Not counting post. opus there are only 65 opus. I also realise it's not a very useful thing to do, but at least now I won't have to check things up all the time. I chose Chopin because I play a lot of his music, but mainly because everything he wrote includes the piano.

For instance Beethoven's opus catalogue would include lots of stuff I am not "interested" in, do you understand what I mean?

But, the Liszt catalogue would really be impressive, S.1 to S.999, hehe...

[invictious]

Start learning Beethoven's Sonatas (opus, key etc) now.
They are immensely helpful.

Then offer yourself a cookie, then move onto Mozart Sonatas.

[kevinr]

On a related point, you can estimate Mozart's age when he wrote a given work by dividing the Kochel number by 25 and adding 10.

It's usually correct to within a year either way, but obviously not for very early works e.g. K < 100.

[soderlund]

Start learning Beethoven's Sonatas (opus, key etc) now.
They are immensely helpful.

Then offer yourself a cookie, then move onto Mozart Sonatas.

Yes, I thought of doing something like that actually. I have started a prelude by Scriabin, I thought I might take a look at his works as well. I find when I have most use of this, is when listening to recordings. I have 13 cd's with Ashkenazy playing all of Chopin's solo piano works, and I get frustrated as soon as I don't know exactly what I'm listening to. But now, when I know the keys and opus numbers of all the mazurkas I don't need to worry.