Nocturne No. 2

At a glance

• What it isa nocturne, a night song for solo piano, the second of a set of three published in 1832.
• Who, when, whyChopin published it at about twenty-two, newly settled in Paris; the set is dedicated to Marie Pleyel of the piano-making family.
• What to listen forhow the ornaments grow more elaborate each time the melody returns.

Listen for

• The first melodythe left hand sets an easy beat that rocks twelve times a bar, and the right hand begins to sing.
• The repeatswhen the tune comes again, little grace notes and quick runs are added, like a singer dressing up the second verse.
• The endingafter a brief cadenza of glittering notes high in the right hand, quiet chords close the piece.

When it was written

Chopin reached Paris in autumn 1831. Back in Poland an uprising against Russia had been crushed, and he never returned. In Paris he preferred playing in salons where aristocrats and artists gathered to giving big concerts, and he made his living from piano lessons.

The nocturne genre was first used by the Irish pianist John Field. Chopin added the singing lines of Italian opera and bold harmonies. This piece was loved early on among his nocturnes, and many piano students still practice it today.