Chopin's Nocturnes

I was trying to decide which Nocturne to learn, does anyone have any idea which one i should. I really want to learn the best one...which one do you think is the best?

Thanks!

 

Strange question, what is the "best"?

The most popular one or the most often played, I guess is Nocturne op 9/2. You could listen to the current recording in the audition room from johnmar78 or in the composer section. I don't know of any Nocturne which is not beautiful, so better listen to some of them and decide yourself. If you choose 9/2 I would recommend to practise the left hand alone until you have nailed it, only afterwards on the right hand part.

 

When i say best, i mean the one that is better musically-not just the most popular one. I have heard Op 9 No 2, but i was looking for one a little more challenging...

 

9/1.

or op.48 (or is it 45)

 

Which one-Op. 48 no 1 or 48 no 2?
Do you know where i can find a recording for these?

 

either one of them. Both are equally nice and both hold a high demand as a Nocturne. (Truthfully I cannot and probably will not play these because it is out of my league, but when I listen and follow along with the sheet music, I see the little details that make these two nocturnes two of Chopin's best.) Of course in my opinion.

 

To start with, I'd suggest op. 9 no. 1, op. 9 no. 2, op. posth (in c# and in c) or op. 72/2 (posth.) in e minor.

 

Opus 9/1 and 9/2 are overplayed to the point of dilution, don't learn these first. Op. 48, Nos. 1 & 2; Op. 62, Nos. 1 & 2; and Op. 27, 1 & 2 are more difficult, but breathtakingly beautiful.

The nocturne in C-sharp minor, lento con gran expressione (#20 in the Palmer edition, opus posthumous) is by far my favorite. Learn that one first. It's Chopin's soul in one grand musical statement.

 

I would at least NOT start with op. 48 no. 1, op. 27 no. 2 or op. 62 (no. 1 and 2). Too difficult to start with...

 

My personal favorite is 27/2, but again - what for a question, "what is the best".

I would suggest to listen to all nocturnes. From Ivan Moravec there is an incredible recording for all nocturnes. I have never heard someone playing soooo soft and heartbreaking... Simply choose the one you love the most, that should answer your question "what is the best".

 

Well, the first nocturne I've ever played was the Si(B) Major of Op. 32 No. 1
I think if you play that one you'll surely want to learn more. It holds in it so many feelings, ranging from supreme happines to great sadness.
I do think it's not very popular amongst the nocturnes, But I think it's one of the greatest, and that it's worth playing as the first nocturne to be studied.


Have a good day,

 

I know you probably already chose which nocturne to play, but you should also try Op. 48 No. 2 in F-sharp minor. It is a sad piece, with a hidden melody in the left hand that makes the whole thing sound better once you find it, but has a heroic mid-section in D flat Major.

I find the piece very fun to play, so I just felt like I should give you this suggestion.

 

the very first one i played was the op.posth c sharp minor one. absolutely beautiful to hear and pleasant to your fingers. the second was the op.9 no.1 which is also very beautiful but a little more difficult than the first one. i'd suggest the c sharp minor to start with...

 

OPUS 48 NO. 1!!! yep, im pretty much recommending all the pieces i recently learnt...ive been told that it is the hardest of them all by a few people and sure its LMusA standard (um im not sure if that standard is in other countries lol) but yeh..its got this octave bit in the middle which is hardish but not impossible..you can get recordings from any music store lol im vague, aren't i although i havent found one that i have particularly liked...horowitz, daniel barenboim (um i hope thats how you spell it), they've got recordings though like i said...theyre not what i like a lot