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The short answer
Lento con gran espressione in C-sharp minor, B. 49 (often called Nocturne No. 20) is a piece by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 6, an estimate.
- nocturne like piece
- Romantic
- Key of C-sharp minor
- melancholic
History
Chopin sent a C-sharp-minor ‘Lento in the style of a nocturne’ to his sister Ludwika in 1830, according to her account. It was not printed until 1875, long after his death. The familiar ‘Nocturne’ name came through Ludwika rather than a title Chopin put on the surviving source.
Sources
What to listen for
A chordal introduction answers itself
The quiet introduction is written again more softly. Compare the chordal gesture with its echo before the sustained melody enters.
Repeated contours create a contrast
Contrasting repeated contours move through changing pitch groups. Hear their difference from the earlier song without forcing every repetition into the same accent.
The melody returns with Tempo I
The earlier melody returns in writing. Recognise its sustained contour while hearing the changed continuation around it.
Widely separated notes close softly
The final sound softens across widely separated registers. Keep the phrase connected even as the distance between its notes grows.
How to practise it
Keep the opening chord changes, inner ties and rests distinct.
- Make chord entries coordinated.
- Preserve tied inner notes when surrounding notes change.
- Give written rests their space.
How hard is it
Ornamented melodic lines and flexible pacing need balance against a steady accompaniment.
About this piece
- Collection
- Night music
- Licence
- CC0
- Source
- musescore.com
More by Frédéric Chopin
- Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
- Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
- Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro
