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Topic: Chopin's best composition? (Read 466 times)

jamienc

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Just curious to poll the crowd as to what you believe to be Chopin’s most remarkable composition. I have it narrowed down to two, but I’m eager to know what you all think. I’ll reserve my picks after you all provide your input.

(I know, it’s difficult. But if you were stranded on an island for eternity with one choice of all of Chopin’s works and a concert grand piano, what would you choose?)

Looking forward…

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swilliams002

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Re: Chopin’s best composition?

Reply #1 on: January 10, 2025, 01:54:48 AM

Ballade in F Minor.

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vandoren

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Re: Chopin’s best composition?

Reply #2 on: January 10, 2025, 02:40:44 AM

Maybe Op. 9, no. 1. Quite an opening melody.

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dizzyfingers

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #3 on: January 10, 2025, 03:15:41 AM

Chopin thought very highly of his opus 9 no 1 Nocturne in E-flat, and it's become world famous, partly because it's accessible to students.

I believe you'll be seeing the 4th ballade and the Barcarolle listed the most, and the fantasy in f minor - all beautiful sublime works from his later years. Both the 2nd and 3rd sonatas are also sublime, imo.

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vandoren

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #4 on: January 11, 2025, 06:05:00 AM

Quote from: dizzyfingers on January 10, 2025, 03:15:41 AM

Chopin thought very highly of his opus 9 no 1 Nocturne in E-flat, and it's become world famous, partly because it's accessible to students.

Dizzy— I think the Eb nocturne you are referring to is op 9 no 2. It has a great melody too. Op 9 no 1 is in Bb minor. Starts with the right hand alone in a way that always immediately draws my attention in.

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ragaih

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #5 on: January 11, 2025, 10:33:20 PM

Chopin's Ballade No. 4 is a magnificent piece, but my two favorite works are definitely Berceuse Op. 57 and Prelude Op. 45 – which are rather lesser-known

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lelle

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #6 on: January 12, 2025, 09:03:40 PM

It's difficult to pick one because he has so many desert-island pieces.

In terms of form, I think the first Ballade and perhaps the Polonaise-fantaisie are the most remarkable.

In terms of emotional impact, the four ballades are all amazing but Ballade 1 and 4 come out on top. However, I couldn't do without the 2nd and 3rd either.

In terms of sheer creativity and emotional richness in its most condensed form, the 24 preludes are something else.

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transitional

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #7 on: January 12, 2025, 10:03:03 PM

There are a bunch of great themes in the 3rd sonata, which I didn't completely get at first. I initially loved the 1st sonata because it was the most instantly crunchy, but it definitely isn't the most communicative sonata. Basically every theme in the 2nd section of the 1st mvt of the 3rd sonata is really powerfully informed by the last and it builds even better in the new key. Try Hofmann's recording first.

I also like the 3rd Ballade, but that's been a favorite for a while.

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last 3 schubert sonatas and piano trios are something else

thorn

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #8 on: January 13, 2025, 06:24:26 AM

Another for the 4th ballade here. Predictable but perhaps that says something. Though I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the op.10/3 etude- it's well known and loved beyond the piano/classical musician community and didn't Chopin say it was the best melody he ever wrote or words to that effect?

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jamienc

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #9 on: January 13, 2025, 11:26:24 AM

Yes. Dizzyfingers totally predicted my two with the Ballade 4 and the Barcarolle.

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brogers70

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Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #10 on: January 13, 2025, 03:29:41 PM

The two that I like best are the Db Berceuse and the Nocturne Op 9 #3 in B major.

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liszt-and-the-galops

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Posts: 1331

Re: Chopin's best composition?

Reply #11 on: January 17, 2025, 01:08:06 AM

The Ballades and several of the Etudes are probably popular choices. The Sonatas as well.

Personally:
B4, 10/1, 10/8, 10/9, 25/1, 25/6, and 25/9 are my favorites.

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Amateur pianist, beginning composer, creator of the Musical Madness tournament (2024).
https://www.youtube.com/@Liszt-and-the-Galops

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Topic: Chopin's best composition? (Read 466 times)

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