Nocturnes Op. 37 (Chopin)
Encyclopedia
The Nocturnes, Op. 37 are a set of two nocturne
s written and published by Frédéric Chopin
in 1840, though it is thought that the Nocturne in G major, Op. 37, No. 2 was composed in 1839 around the time of his stay with author George Sand
in Majorca. Unusually, neither piece carries a dedication.
This set of nocturnes was originally considered to be one of the better sets, yet its popularity slowly decreased in the twentieth century. Blair Johnson maintains, however, that the pieces are still "wonderful specimens, being something of a hybrid between the more dramatic Opus 27
and the far simpler textures and moods of Opus 32
." Robert Schumann
commented that they were "of that nobler kind under which poetic ideality gleams more transparently." Schumann also said that the "two nocturnes differ from his earlier ones chiefly through greater simplicity of decoration and more quiet grace."
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." However, David Dubal
feels that the pieces are "more aptly described as ballades in miniature."
. In measure 41, the key changes to E-flat major and returns to G minor in measure 67. The piece is a total of 91 measures long, ending with a Picardy third
, and is in ternary form
. One of Chopin's students once claimed that Chopin himself forgot to mark the increase in tempo
for the chorale
, which led to the section being played too slowly.
James Friskin commented that the nocturne is "one of the simpler nocturnes" and is similar to the Nocturne in G minor, Op. 15, No. 3 in that it "has similar legato
chord passages in the contrasting section" though this nocturne "has a more ornamental melodic line". Dubal also agreed that the nocturne is "of lesser importance." Critics, however, have often pointed to the potential allusion to religion in the middle section. Maurycy Karasowski commented that the middle section has "a church-like atmosphere in chords." Johnson also thought the chords to be "chorale-like" and commented that "some biographers have felt that this music represented Chopin's faith in the consoling power of religion."
The Nocturne in G major is initially marked as andantino
and is in 6/8 meter, remaining so for all 139 measures. It is written in the style of a Venetian
barcarolle
, which, according to Dubal, is engendered by the main theme's "euphonious thirds and sixths". Huneker commented that "pianists usually take the first part too fast, the second too slowly" and play the piece like an étude
. Friskin commented that the sixths "require care to get evenness of tone control." The piece has the structure ABABA, somewhat unusual for a Chopin nocturne. The melody in thirds and sixths is similarly unusual, all other Chopin nocturnes opening with single-voice melodies.
The nocturne has been acclaimed as one of the most beautiful melodies that Chopin has ever composed. Both Karasowski and Huneker agreed with this assessment; Karasowski claimed that "one can never listen [to the nocturne] without a sense of the deepest emotion and happiness," and Huneker commented that the nocturne was "painted with Chopin's most ethereal brush". Frederick Niecks
also thought the piece had "a beautiful sensuousness; it is luscious, soft, rounded, and not without a certain degree of languor." To Blair Johnson, the theme is "certainly a musical embodiment of the 'less is more' doctrine." Johnson also commented that "something of the warmer Mediterranean climate crept into the composer's pen," in reference to Chopin's stay on the island of Majorca. Niecks also said that the nocturne "bewitches and unmans," pointing to the formerly popular view that Chopin's music could act as an aphrodisiac
. Similarly, Louis Kentner
once said, in reference to this nocturne, that the nocturnes should not "suffer critical degradation because sentimental young ladies used them, in days long gone by, to comfort their repressed libido
."
Nocturne
A nocturne is usually a musical composition that is inspired by, or evocative of, the night...
s written and published by Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
in 1840, though it is thought that the Nocturne in G major, Op. 37, No. 2 was composed in 1839 around the time of his stay with author George Sand
George Sand
Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin, later Baroness Dudevant , best known by her pseudonym George Sand , was a French novelist and memoirist.-Life:...
in Majorca. Unusually, neither piece carries a dedication.
This set of nocturnes was originally considered to be one of the better sets, yet its popularity slowly decreased in the twentieth century. Blair Johnson maintains, however, that the pieces are still "wonderful specimens, being something of a hybrid between the more dramatic Opus 27
Nocturnes Op. 27 (Chopin)
The Nocturnes, Op. 27 are two solo piano pieces composed by Frédéric Chopin often regarded as two of the best pieces he ever composed. The piece was composed in 1836 and published in 1837...
and the far simpler textures and moods of Opus 32
Nocturnes Op. 32 (Chopin)
The Nocturnes, Op. 32 are a set of two nocturnes written and published by Frédéric Chopin in 1837. The nocturnes are dedicated to Madame Camile de Billing and are the only two nocturnes in this opus....
." Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann
Robert Schumann, sometimes known as Robert Alexander Schumann, was a German composer, aesthete and influential music critic. He is regarded as one of the greatest and most representative composers of the Romantic era....
commented that they were "of that nobler kind under which poetic ideality gleams more transparently." Schumann also said that the "two nocturnes differ from his earlier ones chiefly through greater simplicity of decoration and more quiet grace."
Gustav Barth commented that Chopin's nocturnes are definite signs of "progress" in comparison to John Field
John Field (composer)
John Field was an Irish pianist, composer, and teacher. He was born in Dublin into a musical family, and received his early education there. The Fields soon moved to London, where Field studied under Muzio Clementi...
's original nocturnes, though the improvements are "for the most part only in technique." However, David Dubal
David Dubal
David Dubal is an American pianist, teacher, author, broadcaster and painter.Dubal has taught at the Juilliard School in New York since 1983 and the Manhattan School of Music since 1994. Mr. Dubal is the host of "The Piano Matters" a program of comparative piano performances that can be heard on ...
feels that the pieces are "more aptly described as ballades in miniature."
Nocturne in G minor, Op. 37, No. 1
The Nocturne in G minor is initially marked as andante sostenuto and is in 4/4 meterMeter (music)
Meter or metre is a term that music has inherited from the rhythmic element of poetry where it means the number of lines in a verse, the number of syllables in each line and the arrangement of those syllables as long or short, accented or unaccented...
. In measure 41, the key changes to E-flat major and returns to G minor in measure 67. The piece is a total of 91 measures long, ending with a Picardy third
Picardy third
A Picardy third is a harmonic device used in European classical music.It refers to the use of a major chord of the tonic at the end of a musical section which is either modal or in a minor key...
, and is in ternary form
Ternary form
Ternary form, sometimes called song form, is a three-part musical form, usually schematicized as A-B-A. The first and third parts are musically identical, or very nearly so, while the second part in some way provides a contrast with them...
. One of Chopin's students once claimed that Chopin himself forgot to mark the increase in tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
for the chorale
Chorale
A chorale was originally a hymn sung by a Christian congregation. In certain modern usage, this term may also include classical settings of such hymns and works of a similar character....
, which led to the section being played too slowly.
James Friskin commented that the nocturne is "one of the simpler nocturnes" and is similar to the Nocturne in G minor, Op. 15, No. 3 in that it "has similar legato
Legato
In musical notation the Italian word legato indicates that musical notes are played or sung smoothly and connected. That is, in transitioning from note to note, there should be no intervening silence...
chord passages in the contrasting section" though this nocturne "has a more ornamental melodic line". Dubal also agreed that the nocturne is "of lesser importance." Critics, however, have often pointed to the potential allusion to religion in the middle section. Maurycy Karasowski commented that the middle section has "a church-like atmosphere in chords." Johnson also thought the chords to be "chorale-like" and commented that "some biographers have felt that this music represented Chopin's faith in the consoling power of religion."
Nocturne in G major, Op. 37, No. 2
Andantino
Andantino can refer to:*Andantino , an Italian tempo marking meaning a tempo that is slightly faster than Andante but slower than Moderato*Andantino , a Jerome Robbins ballet*Andantino , a two-player board game...
and is in 6/8 meter, remaining so for all 139 measures. It is written in the style of a Venetian
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
barcarolle
Barcarolle
A barcarole is a folk song sung by Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music composed in that style...
, which, according to Dubal, is engendered by the main theme's "euphonious thirds and sixths". Huneker commented that "pianists usually take the first part too fast, the second too slowly" and play the piece like an étude
Étude
An étude , is an instrumental musical composition, most commonly of considerable difficulty, usually designed to provide practice material for perfecting a particular technical skill. The tradition of writing études emerged in the early 19th century with the rapidly growing popularity of the piano...
. Friskin commented that the sixths "require care to get evenness of tone control." The piece has the structure ABABA, somewhat unusual for a Chopin nocturne. The melody in thirds and sixths is similarly unusual, all other Chopin nocturnes opening with single-voice melodies.
The nocturne has been acclaimed as one of the most beautiful melodies that Chopin has ever composed. Both Karasowski and Huneker agreed with this assessment; Karasowski claimed that "one can never listen [to the nocturne] without a sense of the deepest emotion and happiness," and Huneker commented that the nocturne was "painted with Chopin's most ethereal brush". Frederick Niecks
Frederick Niecks
Frederick Niecks was a German musical scholar and author, who was resident in Scotland for the bulk of his life. He is best remembered now for his biographies of Frédéric Chopin and Robert Schumann.-Biography:...
also thought the piece had "a beautiful sensuousness; it is luscious, soft, rounded, and not without a certain degree of languor." To Blair Johnson, the theme is "certainly a musical embodiment of the 'less is more' doctrine." Johnson also commented that "something of the warmer Mediterranean climate crept into the composer's pen," in reference to Chopin's stay on the island of Majorca. Niecks also said that the nocturne "bewitches and unmans," pointing to the formerly popular view that Chopin's music could act as an aphrodisiac
Aphrodisiac
An aphrodisiac is a substance that increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality and love. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable...
. Similarly, Louis Kentner
Louis Kentner
Louis Kentner was a Hungarian, later British, pianist who excelled in the works of Chopin and Liszt, as well as the Hungarian repertoire....
once said, in reference to this nocturne, that the nocturnes should not "suffer critical degradation because sentimental young ladies used them, in days long gone by, to comfort their repressed libido
Libido
Libido refers to a person's sex drive or desire for sexual activity. The desire for sex is an aspect of a person's sexuality, but varies enormously from one person to another, and it also varies depending on circumstances at a particular time. A person who has extremely frequent or a suddenly...
."
External links
- Analysis of Op. 37, No. 1 by Barbara Swanson McMaster Music Analysis Colloquium, Volume 1, December 1999 – Analysis of No. 1.