Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne 12
in G Major, Op. 37 No. 2
This Nocturne features some of Chopin's most unusual harmonic progressions and is one of the more technically challenging Nocturnes.
Year: 1840
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: PS Urtext 
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A nocturnal boat trip?
The Nocturne in G major Op. 37 no. 2 alternates a main section featuring a theme in double notes with a gently rocking second theme. Its barcarolle-like, flexibly undulating nature, and its time of composition coinciding with Chopin's stay in Mallorca with George Sand makes one wonder if it isn't a quiet trip by boat during a warm night that is evoked. The main sections feature some of Chopin's most unusual harmonic progressions, modulating, for example, from G major into the distant key of e flat minor within the space of three measures, and then further on into a minor in about the same amount of time. The music theory enthusiast will be most interested in the transition from the main sections into the second theme, which makes clever use of mediants and chromaticism in one of Chopin's most daring modulations.
Despite its overall quiet nature, this is one of Chopin’s more technically challenging Nocturnes, the double note patterns requiring a refined technique if they are to be played with the smoothness and security that is needed.
Background
The Nocturnes Op. 37 were written in 1839 during the time of Chopin's stay in Mallorca with his lover, author George Sand. They were published in 1840.Forum posts about this piece:
Chopin Nocturne G major Opus 37 no.2 by tosca1
The main technical difficulty in this very lovely Nocturne is playing the RH double notes which should be legato and very even despite the hand shifts. Does anyone have any suggestions in the way of...
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Nocturne in G Major Op. 37 No. 2 by the composer Frédéric Chopin (1810-1849). This piano piece was composed in 1840 and is part of Chopin's Nocturnes.