Nocturnes, Op. 15 (Chopin)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Chopin_nocturne_op15_1a.png/400px-Chopin_nocturne_op15_1a.png)
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 Ferdinand Hiller.[1] These nocturnes display a more personal approach to the nocturne form than that of the earlier Opus 9. The melodies and emotional depth of these nocturnes have thus been thought of as more "Chopinesque."[2]
Nocturne in F major, Op. 15, No. 1
Chopin's fourth nocturne is in simple ternary form (A–B–A). The first section, in F major, features a very simple melody over a descending triplet pattern in the left hand. The middle section in F minor, in great contrast to the outer themes, is fast and dramatic (Con fuoco) using a challenging double note texture in the right hand. After a return to the serene A theme, the ending does not contain a coda, but rather two simple arpeggios. Some critics have remarked that this nocturne has little to do with night, as if sunlight is "leaking from the piece's seams."[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/Chopin_nocturne_op15_1b.png/300px-Chopin_nocturne_op15_1b.png)
Nocturne in F-sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Chopin_nocturne_op15_2a.png/350px-Chopin_nocturne_op15_2a.png)
Chopin's fifth nocturne is in A–B–A form, in 2
4 time. The first section, marked Larghetto, features an intricate, elaborately ornamental melody over an even quaver bass. The second section, labeled doppio movimento (double speed), resembles a scherzo with dotted quaver-semi quaver melody, semiquavers in a lower voice in the right hand, and large jumps in the bass. The final section is a shortened version of the first (14 bars rather than 24) with characteristic cadenzas and elaboration, finishing with an arpeggio on F♯ major, falling at first, then dying away. Many consider this nocturne to be the best of the opus, stating that its musical maturity matches some of his later nocturnes."[2] Pianist Theodor Kullak remarked about this piece, "The return of the heavenly opening theme... touches [one] like a benediction."[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/Chopin_nocturne_op15_2b.png/300px-Chopin_nocturne_op15_2b.png)
Nocturne in G minor, Op. 15, No. 3
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Chopin_nocturne_op15_3a.png/300px-Chopin_nocturne_op15_3a.png)
Chopin's sixth nocturne begins with a slow Lento
The piece departs from the usual ternary form in a Chopin nocturne. The concluding section is not only unrelated thematically to the opening one but in a different key (F major). The last four bars return to G minor, though the final chord is major (a Picardy third), as is usual in a Chopin nocturne.
Chopin originally entitled this nocturne "At the cemetery" when he composed it a day after he attended a performance of Hamlet, but erased the inscription when the piece was to be printed, saying: "Let them figure it out for themselves."[3][4]
References
- ^ Niecks, Frederick (1890). Frederick Chopin, as a man and musician, Volume 1. Novello and company, limited. p. 268.
- ^ OCLC 61295944.
- ^ Chopin: Work list - ourchopin.com
- ^ M. A. Szulc, Echo Muzyczne , 1880
External links
- Nocturnes Op.15: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
- Nocturne No. 3 in G Minor sheet music available at Musopen.com