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Romantic · nocturne

Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2

Frédéric Chopin · Level 7, estimated · With Maestro

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The short answer

Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2 is a nocturne by Frédéric Chopin from the Romantic era. PlayPiano puts it at Level 7, an estimate.

On this page
  • nocturne
  • Romantic
  • dreamy
  • gentle
  • voicing

History

Chopin’s E-flat-major Nocturne is the second of the three pieces in Op. 9. Henle’s source study dates it to around 1830 to 31, with publication in 1832 to 33. As you play, listen for the singing melody returning with more decoration: the left hand keeps the accompaniment moving while the right hand reshapes the tune.

Sources

What to listen for

  1. A short beginning

    The melody starts with a single B-flat eighth-note pickup before the first full bar. Hear it leading into the longer G rather than as a separate phrase.

  2. A sustained arrival

    The upper G is tied before the melody moves through F, G and E-flat. Let the longer arrival carry the phrase while the shorter notes keep it moving.

  3. A wider melodic turn

    The line reaches toward a higher C before returning through G, B-flat, A-flat and G. Listen to the expansion and return within one connected phrase.

  4. The line settles lower

    The melody continues through F, G and D toward longer E-flat and C notes. Let the changing note lengths shape the line without forcing every note into the same accent.

How to practise it

Let the melody lead while the accompaniment supports a broad, connected phrase.

  1. Shape the pickup into its destination rather than stressing it as a separate event.
  2. Keep accompaniment attacks supportive, so the melodic line stays easy to hear.
  3. Build a stable pulse before making individual expressive timing choices.

How hard is it

Level 7, estimated

The upper-intermediate proposal values melodic continuity, decorative clarity and supportive balance across a full nocturne, not just playing its familiar opening slowly.

About this piece

Interpretive sketch of Frédéric Chopin, an illustration and not a verified likeness
An illustration, not a portrait
Collection
Night music
Licence
Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
Source
mutopiaproject.org
Credit
“Nocturne” by F. F. Chopin (1810 to 1849). Mutopia edition maintained by Renato Biolcati Rinaldi. Source: https://www.mutopiaproject.org/cgibin/piece-info.cgi?id=1590. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. Changes to the supplied file: none; any later conversion or edit must be disclosed separately.

More by Frédéric Chopin

  1. Prelude in A major, Op. 28 No. 7Level 5, estimatedWith Maestro
  2. Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52Level 10, estimatedWith Maestro

With Maestro

Play it, slow it down, hear where you land

Let the melody lead while the accompaniment supports a broad, connected phrase.

Practise it in PlayPiano