Chopin’s masterpieces. Popular classical music.
Are you looking for famous piano pieces and beautiful melodies?
Here are some masterpieces and recommended works by Frédéric Chopin, a pianist and composer who represents the early Romantic era in Poland.
Chopin composed as many as 21 nocturnes, and he also left a wealth of piano works in many other styles—such as mazurkas, waltzes, and polonaises—which is why he is known as the Poet of the Piano.
Let yourself be captivated for a while by the beautiful melodies woven by Chopin.
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Chopin’s masterpieces. Popular classical music (41–50)
24 Preludes No. 4Frederic Chopin
This is a work said to have been played on the organ at Chopin’s funeral.
It is characterized by chromatic harmonic progressions: over a subtly shifting left-hand accompaniment, the right hand sings a melancholic melody.
Music in which the right hand plays a single-note line over the left hand’s repeated-note accompaniment evokes the image of “rain.” In the latter half, the music swells like a heartrending cry, then comes to a quiet close.
Although a sorrowful atmosphere pervades from beginning to end, it is not merely sad; it is a captivating piece in which one senses delicate changes in expression.
Chopin’s masterpieces. Popular classical music (51–60)
Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20Frederic Chopin
Frederic Chopin is known for having an unexpectedly large number of rather intricate pieces.
Among them, the Scherzo No.
1 in B minor, Op.
20, is one of the particularly challenging works.
Chopin had relatively small hands and excelled at fast playing, and this first Scherzo strongly reflects those characteristics in its structure.
With abundant right-hand leaps and rapid passages, its difficulty level can be considered advanced.
That said, it’s a highly impressive piece to listen to, so do give it a try.
Scherzo No. 2, Op. 31Frederic Chopin
The demanding piece Scherzo No.
2, Op.
31 by the great composer Frédéric Chopin.
Composed in 1837, it features bright, brilliant key changes that evoke a sense of romance and a striking coda.
The work is set in B-flat minor, in 3/4 time, and adopts a sonata form close to a rondo.
While the right hand sings an elegant melody, the left hand demands a wide-range, highly challenging accompaniment.
The main theme, which skillfully employs dissonance yet feels almost like it’s in a major key, delivers a powerful performance impact—be sure to check it out.
Scherzo No. 1 in B minor, Op. 20Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin’s masterpiece Scherzo No.
1 in B minor, Op.
20—often featured in competitions and concerts—is known as a highly challenging work that uses dissonance to great effect.
Because consonant and dissonant harmonies intertwine with shifting intensity, the piece demands both expressive range and technical skill.
In particular, the descending dissonant passage that unfolds from the high register at the opening is a signature phrase of the work, so I recommend practicing it intensively.
Polonaise No. 7, Op. 61 “Polonaise-Fantasy”Frederic Chopin
Frédéric Chopin, a composer born in Poland.
He displayed musical talent from an early age and produced his first work at the age of seven.
This piece is one of the masterpieces written in his final years.
While it incorporates the rhythm of the polonaise, it is characterized by a free form and fantastical elements.
It begins with unstable chords; although the polonaise rhythm briefly surfaces along the way, the fantastical elements quickly take the lead.
It seems to symbolize Chopin’s inner conflicts and flow of emotion, leaving an impression of a mood that blends melancholy and exaltation.
Highly recommended for those who want to savor the piano’s delicate timbre.
Mazurek in B-flat major, Op. 7 No. 1Frederic Chopin
The mazurka is a traditional folk dance from Chopin’s homeland, Poland.
Throughout his life, Chopin wrote more than 50 mazurkas.
One of them, the Mazurka in B-flat major, Op.
7 No.
1, is the first piece in a set of five mazurkas composed between 1830 and 1832.
Frequently featured in TV commercials and often performed at recitals, it is among the most commonly heard of Chopin’s mazurkas.
Be mindful of the characteristic triple-time rhythm of the mazurka, and play with a light touch.
Polonaise héroïque, Op. 53Frederic Chopin
Composed in 1842 by Frédéric Chopin, a leading composer of the 19th-century Romantic era, this brilliant piano solo adopts the form of the Polish national dance, the polonaise.
Its powerful melody, imbued with deep love for his homeland and a longing for independence, together with the highly demanding virtuosity required of the performer, instills courage and hope in listeners.
Following a solemn introduction, a radiant main theme unfolds, and the middle section is marked by striking left-hand octave repetitions.
Symbolizing Chopin’s patriotism and the national spirit of Poland, this work can be called a cool, crowd-pleasing masterpiece of classical music—perfect for boys learning the piano.