PlayPiano

Romantic · nocturne

Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 55 No. 2

Frédéric Chopin · Level 8, estimated · With Maestro

Practise it in PlayPiano

The short answer

A nocturne dedicated to J. W. Stirling. Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 55 No. 2 is a nocturne by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 8, an estimate.

On this page
  • nocturne
  • Romantic
  • dreamy
  • gentle
  • broken chords
  • ornaments
  • voicing

Also known as Nocturne (F.Chopin Op. 55. No. 2).

History

The Society places this E-flat-major nocturne between 1842 and 1844 and names J. W. Stirling in its dedication. The publication bibliography lists French, German and English issues in 1844. The writing range and publication year describe different events.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. An embellished opening

    The upper texture contains long notes alongside a faster ornamental strand. The lower voice waits for half the bar before entering. Listen to the contrast between a sustained line and decoration.

  2. Broad melody over flowing motion

    The upper line moves in long notes through E-flat, A-flat, G and B-natural while the lower voice continues in eighth notes. Hear the long melody above the changing accompaniment.

  3. The melody becomes more varied

    The upper line mixes longer and shorter notes, moving from C toward D, E-flat, G and F. The lower voice keeps its even eighth-note motion; let the two rhythms remain distinct.

  4. A changing upper colour

    A long D gives way to E-flat and then E-natural. A quieter B-flat joins late in another upper voice. Listen to the colour change without losing the longer phrase.

How to practise it

Let the upper line remain clear above the flowing lower pattern.

  1. Hear the principal line before its small gestures.
  2. Keep the lower flow even.
  3. Preserve the upper tie.

How hard is it

Level 8, estimated

The inspected native bars include two upper voices, independent releases and a lower moving line that changes register. The proposed advanced target emphasizes sustaining those distinct layers across the complete nocturne.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Frédéric Chopin, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Night music
Licence
CC0
Source
musescore.com

More by Frédéric Chopin

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

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Let the upper line remain clear above the flowing lower pattern.

Practise it in PlayPiano