Chopin Op.58

[Chris]

One of my most favourite works among the whole Piano literature is Chopins Third Sonata. Of course, Chopin wrote so many masterpieces that is quite impossible to choose only one favourite. But here, it seems to me that Chopin gave all that he was able to give. You can find everything: pianistic virtuosity, lyrical tendress, majestic expression, dark passion and even a mystic meditation in the middle part of the slow mouvement. This is compositional art on the highest level. What`s your opinion about it?

[pianoloverus]

I would agree that Chopin's Op. 58 is a masterpiece (who wouldn't ?). I like his Barcarolle and 4th Ballade at least as much. His F minor Fantasie is sometimes called his greatest masterpiece, but I like it slightly less than the three other previously mentioned works.

Does anyone have any opinions about why his 2nd sonata seems to be played far less frequently than the third ? I once asked a concert pianist about this and he said it was very difficult and it was shorter in duration than the third (so it was somehow difficult to "fit" it into a recital in a convenient way).

[Chris]

I also don't know why the second Sonata today is not so often played in concert like the third. Perhaps it's just the reason that the second is much more difficult to understand for the public. However, did you remarked that the marvellous second theme in the first mouvement of the second Sonata only is an augmentation of the agitato theme of the beginning? This example shows that we shouldn't agree whith the so often called objection that Chopin was a bad Sonata composer by reason of his incapacity to master the form. He mastered the form, but in his own way.

[mozartean]

Pianoloverus - you have exactly the same taste as I do! Personally, I find immense joy in playing the Chopin Barcarolle and the 4th Ballade - each time I play them, I feel the strong emotions flowing through me into the keyboard. The Fantasie in F minor is also an epic in emotional range and dynamics.

[trunks]

Why Op.58 is played more than Op.35?
I would say because Op.58 is more impressive as a whole. More beautiful melodies and more flow in the music are found in Op.58.

While both Sonatas are among Chopin's best of the best, I'd like to know what you think about his almost completely neglected first Sonata (in C minor, Op.4) . . .

[comme_le_vent]

one person who wouldnt agree that this is a great work would be glenn gould.

has anyone heard his recording of this work?