Chopin Nocturne in C#-

[kghayesh]

I have learnt and mastered Chopin's Nocturne no.20 in C# minor Op.posth. It is a very beautiful and sensitive piece. Actually what made me feel that was when i heard in Polanowski's masterpiece 'The Pianist'.

I play it with approximately the same tempo i hear in all recordings. Although, i have a recording for Wladyslaw Szpilman himself playing it that was recorded in 1948. He was playing it in a strangely fast tempo (nearly Moderato).
The problem is that my teacher wants me to play it much slower. It keeps saying that it is written Lento on top of it, but i don't know whether Lento means that slow......

I want to know whether it is correct to play it so slowly or what???

[bernhard]

crochet (quarter note) = 76 – 84 should be about right. Be flexible.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[pseudopianist]

crochet (quarter note) = 76 – 84 should be about right. Be flexible.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Lento is 76 - 84?!?! WHAT?!?! That is Andante IMO. Lento is somewhat faster than Largo and slower than adiagio. BUT since it is Bernhard I will probaly get corrected. 

[march05]

Heh what a coincidence! I was playing this little nocturne just before now. I really like that sad longing trill in the opening... Imo, the right tempo for this piece is the one that you feel honest about. It feels to me more like a sketch than a full sophisticated chopin nocturne, something to play at night for oneself rather than in a crowded concert hall, so I'd much prefer simple honestly here than sophistication... After all, nobody's supposed to be listening!

[popdog]

ummm.. just wondering how difficult this piece is?  any ideas?  been playing 5 years now and grade 7 ameb (australia music education board) if that gives you some idea.
sounds like an interesting piece.  i remember it from 'the pianist'.
thanks popdog...

- just heard midi and sounds awesome...

[pseudopianist]

ummm.. just wondering how difficult this piece is?  any ideas?  been playing 5 years now and grade 7 ameb (australia music education board) if that gives you some idea.
sounds like an interesting piece.  i remember it from 'the pianist'.
thanks popdog...

- just heard midi and sounds awesome...

Grade 7 ABRSM

[Rockitman]

Technique wise, this piece does not have much to offer.  Except for the long right hand run near the end.  It must be played fast and softly.   The key to this piece is tenderness. 

[yossarian]

Can anyone tell me if pedal can be used anywhere in this piece? It is not marked, but I think I've heard it used in some of the recordings. I hear it mainly with sustain in the bass notes and smoothness in the trills.

Thanks in advance.

[yossarian]

/bump

[bernhard]

Can anyone tell me if pedal can be used anywhere in this piece? It is not marked, but I think I've heard it used in some of the recordings. I hear it mainly with sustain in the bass notes and smoothness in the trills.

Thanks in advance.

Always use pedal with Chopin (the only possilbe exception being the Fugue he wrote). If it is not written it is either because the manuscript was published posthumously (and the autogtraph had no pedal marks), or because it was so obvious that it did not need pointing out.

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[yossarian]

Thought so...yeah, this one was published posthumously. Didn't think about the pedal marks not being included. (I searched the web for an hour without finding a discussion about this.)

Thanks for clearing things up!