MusiLLection

Chopin's first nocturnes, Op.9, dates back to 1831. In England, in an effort to increase their sales, they were given the impressive title "Murmures de la Seine" (Whispers of the Seine). Nocturne in B flat minor, Op.9, No.1 When Chopin composed this nocturne, he was going through an intensely emotional period. At the time, he was breaking up with Konstancja Gladkowska, a goung singer with whom he was in love. We inevitably recognize the echo of his personal feelings in a part of the music, although that does not mean that there is always a connection between a composer's work and his personal life. This composition features all the characteristics of Chopin's nocturne: a soft, melancholic melody with a lacy texture, played with the gentle accompaniment of the open chords of the left hand. Nocturne in E flat Major, Op.9, No.2 This nocturne expresses the mood of the private evening "lounges", where Chopin was feeling relaxed. It has a serenity full of gr...

The Nocturnes, Op. 15 are a set of three nocturnes for solo piano written by Frédéric Chopin between 1830 and 1833. The work was published in January 1834, and was dedicated to his great friend and pianist Ferdinand Hiller. Nocturne in F major, Op. 15, No. 1 This Nocturne has been said to be like Chopin painting the melody "with the soft wings of a butterfly". Nocturne in F-sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2 This Nocturne is rich in ornaments and is a model of elegance, although it also has this usual dramatic middle part. It's so sweet, it's likened to "champagne and truffles"! Nocturne in G minor, Op. 15, No. 3 This Nocturne is particularly graphic. Its mood is heartbreaking and it has even been likened to lamenting a lost love.

The famous monument to Chopin, Parc Monceau, Paris. The ballades of the Polish poet Adam Bernard Mickiewicz inspired Chopin to compose the four Ballades, each telling a musical story. The first, Opus 23, took four years to complete (1831-1835) and coincided with Chopin's arrival in Paris and his acceptance by the city's good society. The poet Adam Bernard Mickiewicz. Unlike most of Chopin's pianistic compositions, which focus on unexpected changes in mood and contrasts, Ballade No.1 in G minor has a narrative, almost epic quality. In this respect it is consistent with literary ballades, such as the epic 17th century poem, Faery Queen (Fairy Queen) by Edmond Spencer. Many regard Chopin's four piano ballads as the most mature and refined part of his wide-ranging work. The introduction provides the backdrop, which is full of a sense of tragedy and premonition. This contrasts with the first melody that is both lyrical and simple. Observe the use of ceases and subtle qualms...

The "Revolutionary" etude was composed after Chopin was informed that the 1831 Polish uprising had been crushed by the Russian troops. It has been said about Chopin's Etudes that "they are as inaccessible to the musician without virtuosity as they are to the virtuoso without musicality". Certainly the "Revolutionary" Etude pushes the pianist to his limits. But the technical complexity doesn't overshadow the musical flood for a moment. Above the troubled part of the left hand, emotion and melody cross the storm like the unruly boat at the top of the wave. Chopin designed this piece as a piano exercise or an etude for the left hand. All the 12 Etudes of Opus 10 are influenced by violinist Nikolo Paganini and pianist Franz Liszt and are dedicated to the latter.

Opus32 dates back to 1837, when Chopin was increasingly closely associated with the distinguished writer George Sand.   Nocturne in C Major, Op. 32, No.1 In this nocturne the two song-style melodies flow without pause almost to the end. But here we are witnessing an unexpected change of mood. A dotted cadenza presents some new music and creates a darker and more dubious mood, as the work is completed in minor tonality. Nocturne in A-flat Major, Op. 32, No. 2 This nocturne is one of Chopin's most popular nocturnes. It begins with a short section reminiscent of a cadenza, which may sound somewhat melodramatic for modern listeners. This introductory phrase lends its place to a warm flowing melody, which the composer then develops into a fiery romantic song. A contrasting part presents a touching note, before leading the nocturne - almost imperceptibly - to a final reprocessing of the introductory material.

At Chopin's time, the composition of a "waltz concerto" was not new - composers like Mozart had helped shape this form. However, the elements, introduced by Chopin , was new. He turned the waltz into a musical genre of exceptional subtlety and kindness, dominated by the piano. The composer was still a teenager when he composed his first work in this form and continued to compose waltzes almost until the end of his life.  Waltz in G-flat major, Op. 70, No.1 In this waltz, the melody is full of vibrancy. Then a slow dreamy musical idea is presented and the rhythm changes abruptly. But the new mood doesn't last long. The first melody returns, now like a coda, completing the work serenely. Waltz in F minor, Op. 70, No. 2 Although this waltz is particularly lively, the prevailing mood is melancholy. The two melodies on which the work is based are the first in minor tonality and the second in major and are interpreted twice. The waltz is calmly completed in a major tonality...

Chopin lived an intense emotional life and allowed his emotions to express themselves in the elegance and elaborate style of his music. Frédéric Chopin showed his musical talent at a very young age. He was born in Poland on March 1, 1810, the son of a French immigrant teacher. His family was artistic, so his ability to compose piano music at the age of six, came as no surprise. He started piano lessons when he was seven years old and showed such talent that he was invited to play at their private gatherings of high society Warsaw families. He gave his first piano concert at the age of eight. First love From his childhood he was weak and that's why his father sent him in the summers to the countryside near Warsaw, to get stronger in the fresh air. There he loved the music of the villagers and in many of his early compositions the influence of these folk melodies appears. The residence in Zelazowa Wola, a  village in the province near Warsaw,  where Chopin grew up among the tal...

In Aleksander Ford's film "Youth of Chopin" the protagonist embodied a young man with an elaborate appearance, whose eyes looked on and yet were absent from the meeting scene... This young man never smiled, too bad, because it would look like he'd have a nice smile... Ford's film helped me more than my listenings helped me out 20 years ago, sketching composer Chopin . Shortly afterwards I read another subversive "biographical" novel that troubled me again: he chronicled his contradictory life, presenting him as an unwitting, atrophiedly sensitive guy with eccentrically expresed melancholy. I was at the beginning of my pianist career and all this meant a lot... Twenty years later, studying through the sources of his works and his life, I believe Chopin was a witty man, low-voiced but dynamic, a lover of beauty, a dreamy Apostle of Poland. No, Chopin was neither an enemy of life nor a victim of it. He allowed himself to become independent from the measure ...

Chopin was not the first composer to compose waltz for piano, but his approach was particularly unique. Many composers had written similar works, but Chopin's waltzes were not intended for dance. Chopin composed approximately twenty waltzes, bus only half were issued while he was alive. The rest of his work was published after his death and many even in a highly curated edition. One minute Waltz, Op. 63, No. 1 The "One Minute Waltz" needs considerable technical boldness. This work was meant to last about a minute, although it is not known whether any pianist - other than Chopin himself - ever achieved that. Waltz No. 7 in C minor, Op. 64, No. 2 This waltz is unusually expressive, drawing much of its effect from the interaction of different rhythmic patterns. It also includes a melody of exceptional beauty and emotion. Waltz in A flat Major, Op. 64, No.3 This waltz is simple and short and the thythm is relaxed. Here Chopin has chosen a pure structure. The solf central s...