Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35: IV. Finale (Presto)

History

Chopin’s funeral march dates from 1837. Henle’s preface explains that the sonata took shape in 1839, when he completed the other movements around that earlier march. The finale belongs to this later assembly of the sonata, rather than to a four-movement work written all at once in 1837.

Sources

• henle.de

What to listen for

1. 1

   Two lines move together through triplets

   Paired triplet motion rises through related cells and changing registers. Hear the shared contour without inventing a separate sustained melody and accompaniment.

2. 2

   The opening cell returns in writing

   Opening-related material is written again in both voices. Recognise the contour as part of the continuing movement, not a navigation jump.

3. 3

   Low turns renew the upward motion

   Lower-register turns lead into renewed rises, repeated cells and cross-staff exchanges. Follow their connected direction through the placement changes.

4. 4

   Rests interrupt the final flow

   Two half rests interrupt the paired movement before the short accented and held ending. Hear those gaps as part of the closing gesture.

How to practise it

Keep the corresponding triplet outlines even while their pitch collection shifts.

1. Play the six-pitch outline slowly as two triplets, then repeat it without accenting every interval change.
2. Compare the two six-note outlines separately, then practise the exact change from the first to the second at a slow triplet pulse.

How hard is it

About this piece

Collection

Sonata journeys

Licence

Public Domain

Source

mutopiaproject.org

More by Frédéric Chopin

1. 1Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
2. 2Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2Level 7, estimatedWith Maestro
3. 3Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro