October: Chopin - The Nocturnes

[fergus]

For the uninitiated, Nocturnes are generally short pieces, each one divided into three parts with a lively middle section. In terms of construction the main characteristics are the broken chords (chords in which the notes are not all played at once) for the left hand and an expressive cantabile (singing) melody for the right hand which can be highly ornamented. Nocturnes have a moderate tempo (Andante, Andantino or Lento) and tend to be lyrical, melancholic and song-like in nature and are (obviously by name) associated with the night and are designed to help or induce the listener to meditate on Romantic ideals. Chopin’s Nocturnes were published in sets of either two or three which makes bite sized consumption easier.

[Seán]

Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne Opus 9
Arthur Rubenstein - piano.

I just love Chopin's Opus 9 with the gorgeous melody and delicate lines, it has instant appeal, yet every time I listen to it I hear and feel something new. Rubenstein's approach is wonderful, here is the first movement:

[jaybee]

here's the bauld Maurizio, beautifully done....




Fixed your post, jaybee! Couldn't let Muiris O'Póilin (one of our own) stay invisible!
Ciaran.

[fergus]

Nocturne No. 19, Op. 72 No. 1 is apparently the first of Chopin’s Nocturnes to have been composed (probably in 1827) so it is here that I am beginning my odyssey. It is in the key of E minor and is particularly melancholic, the minor key obviously aiding in this sombre mood. It has all of the hallmarks of a classic Chopin nocturne mentioned above. The ornamentation in the central, emotionally charged section is wonderful. The melody is particularly elegiac and this may be due to the fact that Chopin allegedly wrote this piece in memory of his younger sister Emilia who had just recently died. There is no doubt that No. 19 is highly emotionally charged and it is very lovely to listen to.

[fergus]

Yes one can marvel over a Rubenstein or Pollini or Arrau performance but what about Annie Zhou....

[jaybee]

here's the bauld Maurizio, beautifully done....




Fixed your post, jaybee! Couldn't let Muiris O'Póilin (one of our own) stay invisible!
Ciaran.

what's the secret to the YouTube link? Just the code after the address?

[Seán]

Yes one can marvel over a Rubenstein or Pollini or Arrau performance but what about Annie Zhou....

Very charming indeed, and later this evening? Bart van Oort.

[Ciaran]

here's the bauld Maurizio, beautifully done....




Fixed your post, jaybee! Couldn't let Muiris O'Póilin (one of our own) stay invisible!
Ciaran.

what's the secret to the YouTube link? Just the code after the address?

Here's the code I used:

Code: Select all

[youtube]6cxkLZoEFEk[/youtube]

with just the snippet from the URL which identifies the video. That snippet comes just after "watch?v=" in the URL. You had put in not only the basic URL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cxkLZoEFEk), but a load of stuff appended after question marks, which is YouTube's record of how you got to the page. Embedding only works when you just give the identifying snippet.

[markof]

Recently bought the Angela Hewitt 2003 recording.



It's a 24/96 download from Hyperion.
Contains the complete nocturnes and impromptus 1-4.
So far so good - a very clean sound, precise, smooth playing, emotional but not sentimental.
Hope to compare with more historical performances.
Occasional apparent movements of the microphone with changes in ambience from including the hall sound to close miked piano sound.

[fergus]

Recently bought the Angela Hewitt 2003 recording.

Look forward to reading any further comments from you on that one as I have read good reviews of it in the past.