Frédéric Chopin
Nocturne 16
in E-flat Major, Op. 55 No. 2
Suffused with Chopinesque bittersweetness, this Nocturne is like an improvisation where themes morph in and out of each other, joined by mysterious counter melodies.
Year: 1844
Period: Early Romantic
Piano score: PS Urtext 
Audiovisual Study Tool
A cry into the night
The remarkable Nocturne in E flat major Op. 55 no. 2 is the second Nocturne Chopin wrote in that key, the first being the famous early Nocturne, Op. 9 no. 2. Beginning on a lone B flat followed by a trill, “a cry out in the night” according to pianist Alfred Cortot, the winding left-hand figurations join in to underline a narrative that is more like an improvisation than a formally bound piece. Lacking the contrasting middle section he often employed for his Nocturnes, but suffused with a bittersweetness only Chopin could summon, its themes morph in and out of each other, increasingly decorated and joined by mysterious counter melodies. The coda dissolves into a glittering haze, ending on a few simple chords, sighing dreamily.Background
The Nocturnes Op. 55 were composed between 1842 and 1844 and published in 1844. They were dedicated to Chopin's Scottish pupil and friend Jane Stirling, who took him on a tour of England and Scotland in 1848.Forum posts about this piece:
"Cantabile" pieces by piulento
Hi there, I'm looking for a song-like piece to mainly work on my musical touch and sound (not looking to work too much on technique for this specific piece). Some ideas I had - Mendelssohn's...
melodic analysis of chopin opus 55 (2. noctures) by paulkeller
Maybee anybody can help me to find an analysis of Chopin opus 55 no.1 ? I'd like to have a melodic analysis of the chords. Thank you very...
Chopin nocturne Op. 55, #2 by frida1
I'm having trouble getting the feel of this nocturne. Also, the part where the right hand trills while playing melody notes is very difficult for me. Does anyone have any advice about this...
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Frédéric Chopin, one of the prominent composers active in the Early Romantic era, has written this piece titled Nocturne Op. 55 No. 2 in E-flat Major from Nocturnes. The composition is categorized as "Piece" in Piano Street's sheet music library and the level of difficulty is 7.