Sad Chopin

[schweitzeralan]

Over these many years I've become familiar with so many musical works, particularly those written during the early to mid 20th century.  I am generally familiar with Chopin and have listened occasionally to many of his works without my ever having succumbed to his charms.  Lately I started to delve into some the pieces, most notably, the nocturnes. As I was playing, I reminded myself of the many composers, great and/or otherwise, who were influenced by him, notably Scriabin and Blumenfeld, among others. I discovered that several works evinced an emotional "pull," or "drive,' one of which was the Nocturne in E Minor. After several exposures to this significant piece, I was mesmerized by its beauty and simplicity with its uncompromising tenderness and sincerity. Perhaps Chopin may not approach  the labyrinthine depths of Wagnerian "angst; yet the Nocturne is, in my view,a most tender and sadden communicative expression.  What other works evoke this tenderness and woefullness in Chopin? 

[Luke]

...Perhaps Chopin may not approach  the labyrinthine depths of Wagnerian "angst...

So much to talk about, Chopin-wise, that it's hard to know where to start. So all I'll say is that IMO Chopin ploughs just as deep a furrow as Wagner or anyone else does; he just does so by different, quieter means. To me, Chopin is about as close as music gets to poetry, which I mean not in a cliched 19th century hearts-and-flowers way, but in a very real sense; lyric poetry as opposed to prose. Like poetry he makes his point forcefully but concisely, with supremely well-chosen musical 'diction', if that makes any sense, so that each work has its own almost tangible tone - I can almost taste and smell the difference between Chopin pieces in a way that I find unique to him, so powerfully concentrated is he. Maybe that's just me...

[MN Dave]

Maybe that's just me...

No. It's not. 

[Joe_Campbell]

Chopin's Prelude in E minor (key coincidence?) also has a similar feel, almost moreso, I think.

[Herman]

Perhaps Chopin may not approach  the labyrinthine depths of Wagnerian "angst; yet the Nocturne is, in my view,a most tender and sadden communicative expression.  

well, the e minor nocturne is in my view not one of Chopin's deepest pieces to begin with. It's got a high opus nr but that's because Chopin didn't publish this early work  -  maybe because it didn't meet his standards, who knows. It's really the first piece in the nocturne genre.

it has become a popular encore.

however if you're looking for depths I'd suggest you go to the four last nocturnes, opus 55 and 62, that's really great multilayered stuff.

[schweitzeralan]

So much to talk about, Chopin-wise, that it's hard to know where to start. So all I'll say is that IMO Chopin ploughs just as deep a furrow as Wagner or anyone else does; he just does so by different, quieter means. To me, Chopin is about as close as music gets to poetry, which I mean not in a cliched 19th century hearts-and-flowers way, but in a very real sense; lyric poetry as opposed to prose. Like poetry he makes his point forcefully but concisely, with supremely well-chosen musical 'diction', if that makes any sense, so that each work has its own almost tangible tone - I can almost taste and smell the difference between Chopin pieces in a way that I find unique to him, so powerfully concentrated is he. Maybe that's just me...

A poetic refined analysis of Chopin makes sense.  I have yet to discover more of Chopin in detail.

[bwv 1080]

He did write the most well known funeral march, at least for anyone raised on Looney Tunes

[Ciel_Rouge]

bwv 1080: rather surprisingly, Marche Funebre also sounds absolutely brilliant when orchestrated, which sort of indicates to me that Chopin thought with the "piano as an orchestra" when composing his pieces:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ptXwqQVYGw

Herman: I totally agree with you, the pieces mentioned are not really the deepest nor most significant. Chopin can be MUCH more brilliant than that.

schweitzeralan: I wonder what you think about the following:

Nocturne #20 in C Sharp Minor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2KkA1JlFs

Waltz in A Minor, Op. 34, No. 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Rf2RlbfQs

Etude Op.25 no.12 "The Ocean"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFNW_ZDlFW4

Nocturne Op. 55 No. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2yoZQCLoSY

[schweitzeralan]

bwv 1080: rather surprisingly, Marche Funebre also sounds absolutely brilliant when orchestrated, which sort of indicates to me that Chopin thought with the "piano as an orchestra" when composing his pieces:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ptXwqQVYGw

Herman: I totally agree with you, the pieces mentioned are not really the deepest nor most significant. Chopin can be MUCH more brilliant than that.

schweitzeralan: I wonder what you think about the following:

Nocturne #20 in C Sharp Minor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2KkA1JlFs

Waltz in A Minor, Op. 34, No. 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Rf2RlbfQs

Etude Op.25 no.12 "The Ocean"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFNW_ZDlFW4

Nocturne Op. 55 No. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2yoZQCLoSY

Thanks much for the downloads (or uploads).  I'll get back to you eventually and inform you on what I think, get, or "feel" about the "quoted" Chopin works you suggested.

[MN Dave]

well, the e minor nocturne is in my view not one of Chopin's deepest pieces to begin with. It's got a high opus nr but that's because Chopin didn't publish this early work  -  maybe because it didn't meet his standards, who knows. It's really the first piece in the nocturne genre.

it has become a popular encore.

however if you're looking for depths I'd suggest you go to the four last nocturnes, opus 55 and 62, that's really great multilayered stuff.

55/1 is my favorite.

[schweitzeralan]

bwv 1080: rather surprisingly, Marche Funebre also sounds absolutely brilliant when orchestrated, which sort of indicates to me that Chopin thought with the "piano as an orchestra" when composing his pieces:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ptXwqQVYGw

Herman: I totally agree with you, the pieces mentioned are not really the deepest nor most significant. Chopin can be MUCH more brilliant than that.

schweitzeralan: I wonder what you think about the following:

Nocturne #20 in C Sharp Minor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR2KkA1JlFs

Waltz in A Minor, Op. 34, No. 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Rf2RlbfQs

Etude Op.25 no.12 "The Ocean"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFNW_ZDlFW4

Nocturne Op. 55 No. 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2yoZQCLoSY

I do recall from didtant memory the Chopin pieces you downloaded.  All fine works, particularly the F# Nocturne.  The 8 year old pianist is quite amazing. 

[Ciel_Rouge]

She is no longer 8 years old but has not quite gotten to the "signing contracts with DG" yet.