- Nocturnes, Op. 32 (Chopin)
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Chopin, 1835
The Nocturnes, Op. 32 are a set of two nocturnes written and published by Frédéric Chopin in 1837.[1][2] The nocturnes are dedicated to Madame Camile de Billing[2] and are the only two nocturnes in this opus.
These nocturnes are not as impressive as their predecessors, the Nocturnes Op. 27.[2] While each piece "exemplifies one of the composer's various approaches to nocturne form," Blair Johnson felt that, in the piece, the "moments of originality and power stick out in a way that they couldn't have, had the entirety of the pieces been sewn of finer silk."[2] James Huneker also found this set "a little tiresome."[3]
Gustav Barth commented that Chopin's nocturnes are definite signs of "progress" in comparison to John Field's original nocturnes, though the improvements are "for the most part only in technique."[4] However, David Dubal feels that the pieces are "more aptly described as ballades in miniature."[5]
Contents
Nocturne in B major, Op. 32, No. 1
Opening bars of No. 1 in B major.The Nocturne in B major is initially marked andante sostenuto and is in 4/4 meter. There are several ritardando markings throughout, followed by a tempo markings in the next measure, such as in measure 7 and 8 and in measure 17 and 18. The piece transitions to adagio in the last two measures, starting in measure 64. The piece is 65 measures long and, unusually, ends in the tonic minor key, B minor. There has been confusion over a key in the first bar of the last line: Theodor Kullak and Karl Klindworth use a G, while Julian Fontana used an F-sharp.[3]
David Dubal found the nocturne to be "of less importance, though characteristic in design and melodic contour."[6] However, he states the coda "completely shocks the listener out of reverie."[6] According to Berkeley, the ending "defies analysis, but compels acceptance."[6] Jim Samson states that "The interruption of the song by this startling passage of instrumental recitative submits to no formal logic, but rather brings directly into the foreground Chopin's desire to make the music 'speak'."[7] James Huneker found the F-minor section to "[broaden] out to dramatic reaches" though he still viewed the overall piece negatively.[3] The ending was both "dramatic and original" to James Friskin, in comparison to the simplicity of the rest of the piece.[8]
Nocturne in A-flat major, Op. 32, No. 2
Opening bars of No. 2 in A♭ major.The Nocturne in A-flat major is initially marked as lento and in 4/4 meter. In measure 25, the meter switches to 12/8. The key changes to F-sharp minor in measure 37 and returns to F minor and 4/4 in measure 49. The tempo returns to lento in measure 73. The pieces has a total of 74 measures and is in ternary form.[2]
Though he thought the piece contained a "long, gracious melody with a balletic middle section," Dubal found the nocturne to be "less important than other members of this species" like the Nocturne in B major.[6] Blair Johnson found that "[l]ike the previous nocturne, simplicity of gesture is of the utmost importance throughout the opening section". However, it differs due to the "stormier, more chromatic middle section".[2] The repetition of the beginning has been "infected by the agitated atmosphere of the nocturne's center," and causes "the reprise some time to recapture the gentleness that is its rightful tone," according to Johnson.[2] Friskin found that "the middle section offers good practice in the maintenance of a melodic line in the outer fingers while playing supporting chords in the same hand."[8]
The nocturne is among the works of Chopin orchestrated in the ballet Les Sylphides.[6]
References
- ^ Huneker, James G. (1966). Chopin : the man and his music. New York: Dover Publ.. p. 251. ISBN 048621687X. http://books.google.com/books?id=MPFwo8BrkqQC&printsec=titlepage.
- ^ a b c d e f g Woodstra, Chris; Brennan, Gerald; Schrott, Allen (2005). AllMusic Guide to Classical Music. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 287. ISBN 0879308656. http://books.google.com/books?id=n29DHVKhZggC. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
- ^ a b c Huneker (1966), p. 261
- ^ Lateiner, Jacob; Bruce Brubaker, Jane Gottlieb (2000). Pianist, scholar, connoisseur : essays in honor of Jacob Lateiner. Stuyvesant, N.Y.: Pendragon Press. p. 23. ISBN 1576470016. http://books.google.com/books?id=YzqjvdoaT84C&printsec=frontcover.
- ^ Dubal, David (2004). The art of the piano : its performers, literature, and recordings. Pompton Plains, N.J.: Amadeus Press. p. 461. ISBN 1574670883. http://books.google.com/books?id=8698CZGx1ZQC&printsec=frontcover.
- ^ a b c d e Dubal (2004), p. 464
- ^ Samson, Jim (1985). The music of Chopin. London ; Boston: Routledge & Kegan Paul. p. 90. ISBN 0710096887. http://books.google.com/books?id=9rWhvvT336cC&printsec=frontcover.
- ^ a b Friskin, James; Irwin Freundlich (1973). Music for the piano; a handbook of concert and teaching material from 1580 to 1952. New York: Dover Publications. p. 106. ISBN 0486229181. http://books.google.com/books?id=humFNAE595QC&printsec=frontcover.
External links
- Nocturnes, Op. 32: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.
Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin 3 Nocturnes, Op. 9 · 3 Nocturnes, Op. 15 · 2 Nocturnes, Op. 27 · 2 Nocturnes, Op. 32 · 2 Nocturnes, Op. 37 · 2 Nocturnes, Op. 48 · 2 Nocturnes, Op. 55 · 2 Nocturnes, Op. 62 · Nocturne in E minor, Op. posth. 72 · Nocturne in C-sharp minor, Op. posth. · Nocturne in C minor, Op. posth.
Chopin nocturnes
List of compositions by Frédéric Chopin by musical form
List of compositions by Frédéric Chopin by opus numberCategories:- Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin
- 1837 compositions
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