Chopin Sonata No 2 in Bb minor, Op 35 'Funeral'

[pianomann1984]

I am studying this work at the moment...all is going very well with it.  I am interested to hear your views regarding the last presto movement.  I have read and heard many things about this movement - what do you all think is the psychology/reasoning behind this incredible music?  I have read various things including:

1. It represents the babble of some people who didn't like the deceased at the reception after the funeral (This is not one I find particularly convincing!)

2. It represents the whirling of a savage wind around the church after the funeral.

3. (& my personal favourite): The sonata represents Chopin's morbid fear of death - after he has died (the 3rd movement), all that is left of him is his soul and intense creative energy, which whirls about, free from it's physical state (adapted from the programme notes of the late John Bingham's recording of this work).

Any thoughts?...I certainly find contemplating this music very inspiring - post here!

Chris

[maxy]

how about... ghosts... tormenting the living... 

[pianomann1984]

There's definately something of the ghostly about this music!  The airy (or should that be eerie?) sotto voce whisps of passages materialising from the mist and disappearing back where they came from, or were they ever really there in the first place?... ...phew, this gives me the willies!

[steinwayguy]

On thinking about it, this movement has to be among the most genius sonata movements in the piano literature. I always heard it was the sound of the gossip amongst the public the day after Chopin's death.

[pianomann1984]

Yeah, I heard that too....but I still think I prefer Bingham's understanding of it.  What do you yourself think?  Let's take this out to all the creative minds out there in piano forum...

[jhon]

Chopin's 2nd piano sonata is TRAGIC.  I have heard somewhere that the Finale (last movement) implies SUICIDE - as if to commit suicide after losing a loved one!  (BTW, the 14th prelude in Ebm is said to be Chopin's "preperation" for this movement.)

[MattL]

it represents how chopin rose above death through his music